Pitt at AACR 2026

Pitt's University-wide Oncology Ecosystem Spans

Selected Research Publications Overview

This collection of recent publications (2024–2026) from University of Pittsburgh researchers highlights advances across tumor immunology, T-cell biology, novel therapeutic strategies, and clinical oncology.

Anti-Angiogenic and Tumor Microenvironment Strategies

• Gau, David, et al. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2025)

This study demonstrates that targeting the profilin1–actin interaction with a small molecule can suppress tumor angiogenesis in renal cell carcinoma, providing preclinical validation for this pathway as a druggable anti-angiogenic target.

Immunogenomics and Immune Checkpoint Biology

• Leonard-Murali, Shravan, et al. Nature Communications 15.1 (2024)
• Cillo, Anthony R., et al. Cell 187.16 (2024)

These two papers address immune checkpoint dynamics and predictive immunogenomics. The Leonard-Murali study uses genomic profiling of uveal melanoma to identify determinants of immunotherapy resistance and susceptibility. The Cillo study reveals that dual LAG-3/PD-1 blockade induces a unique CD8+ T-cell state co-expressing cytotoxic and exhaustion programs, offering mechanistic insight into combination checkpoint therapy.

T-Cell Engineering and Dysfunction

• Frisch, Andrew T., et al. Cell Metabolism 37.4 (2025)
• Rivadeneira, Dayana B., et al. Immunity 58.10 (2025)

These studies address fundamental barriers to effective T-cell therapy. Frisch et al. show that manipulating glucose metabolism during ex vivo T-cell expansion yields cells with superior epigenetic and metabolic fitness for adoptive therapy. Rivadeneira et al. uncover a mechanism by which oxidative stress causes telomere instability, driving T-cell dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment.

Novel Immunotherapeutics and Targeted Delivery

• Luo, Zhangyi, et al. Nature Communications 15.1 (2024)
• Seungmin Shin, et al. Science Advances (2026)

Luo et al. describe a CD44-targeted nanocarrier that delivers iRhom1 inhibition to improve the efficacy of combined immuno- and chemotherapy, illustrating the potential of targeted delivery platforms to enhance combination regimens.

Shin et al. developed fully human bispecific NK cell engagers that reactivate both innate and adaptive immune killing in solid tumors, capable of suppressing tumor growth both as a monotherapy and in combination with pertuzumab. 

Together, these two studies reflect Pitt’s capabilities of advancing combination immuno-oncology strategies across the full therapeutic delivery and biologics spectrum from precision nanocarrier platforms to next-generation checkpoint antibodies.

Microbiome and Immunotherapy Interactions

• Morder KM, Nguyen M, Wilfahrt DN, et al. Cancer Discovery 15.11 (2025)

This study reveals that the artificial sweetener sucralose disrupts the gut microbiome in a manner that ablates cancer immunotherapy responses, adding to the growing body of evidence linking dietary factors and microbiome composition to treatment outcomes.

Clinical Oncology

• Mamounas, Eleftherios P., et al. The New England Journal of Medicine 392.21 (2025)

This clinical trial investigates whether regional nodal irradiation can be safely omitted in breast cancer patients who respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, addressing a key question in treatment de-escalation and quality of life.