Xinhui Wang, MD, PhD, Laboratory

Overview

The mission of the Xinhui Wang, MD, PhD, Laboratory is to develop novel means to prevent and treat cancer recurrence and metastasis by targeting cancer stem cells, as well as effective immunotherapies for solid tumors.

Research Projects

Targeting Cancer Stem Cells

In this project, the Wang Laboratory targets cancer stem cells (CSCs), in the context of augmenting standard radiation and chemotherapy, by repurposing disulfiram—the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug used to treat alcohol dependence. This effort involves human and mouse models for breast cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and soft tissue and bone sarcoma. The laboratory aims to translate these findings into clinical care for the prevention and treatment of cancer recurrence and metastasis, which is the spread of cancer cells from the primary place to a secondary.

Turning a Host’s Tumor into an In-Situ Cancer Vaccine

Local radiation induces immunological cell death (ICD) of tumor cells which can, under favorable conditions, generate antitumor immune responses. However, CSCs are resistant to radiation, and radiation alone usually fails to mount effective antitumor immune responses. The laboratory is investigating a novel strategy to boost radiotherapy-induced ICD and turn irradiated tumor cells, including CSCs, into a personalized vaccine with the ultimate goal of eliminating all cancer cells in the patient.

Understanding Mechanisms of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell In Vivo Expansion and Persistence

In vivo expansion and persistence of adoptively transferred CAR T-cells are required for beneficial antitumor clinical responses in treated patients. The Wang Laboratory currently can induce potent and long-lasting antitumor responses in mice using our newly developed CAR T-cell therapy. The laboratory is in the process of studying the mechanisms by which CAR T-cells expand and persist in mice following their adoptive transfer.

About Xinhui Wang, MD, PhD

Director, Wang Laboratory
Director, Sarcoma Translational Research Laboratory, Surgical Oncology
Associate Immunologist of Surgery, Mass General
Associate Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School

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