Thao Pham, PhD
Research Assistant Professor, Medicine
Research Program
Cancer-Focused Research
I am interested in understanding how the interactions between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment determine therapeutic responses, and the lack thereof, in pancreatic cancer. I have previously reported the role of MAP Kinase-Interacting Protein Kinases (MNKs) and their downstream effectors in pancreatic cancer cell resistance to epigenetic inhibition. Recently, I have found that MNK kinases also play an important role in modulating tumor-associated macrophages to mediate T cell immunity. My current research continues to characterize further the role of specific MNK isoforms in macrophages and identify potential therapeutic approaches with MNK inhibitors. I believe the results obtained from these studies can help inform new treatment options to enhance anti-tumor immunity in cancer patients.