Division of Hematology
The Division of Hematology, part of the Department of Medicine, offers world-class patient care, research programs, and education and training opportunities.
Immuno-Oncology Research
About Our Program
The Immuno-Oncology Research Program, led by Dr. David McDermott, is involved in clinical, basic and translational research activities with focus on the treatment of advanced melanoma and kidney cancer. Our team investigates and uses biologic agents, such as cytokines and immune checkpoint inhibitors, to treat solid tumors in patients with metastatic melanoma and kidney carcinoma.
The program's efforts have helped develop standard approaches to these cancers. With the Division of Medical Oncology, the program offers more than 20 open research protocols. Specialized areas of research and treatment include:
- Novel immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies
- Vaccines, cytokines and other immunotherapies
- Angiogenesis and signal transduction inhibitors
- Pro-apoptotic agents to promote programmed cell death
- Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy
- Interleukin-2 based therapy
A steady stream of NIH, foundation and industry grants support this groundbreaking work, including an NCI-sponsored SPORE grant in kidney cancer, through the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC).
The Immuno-Oncology Research Program within BIDMC's Division of Hematology/Oncology is internationally recognized for contributions to the biologic treatment of cancer using cytokines, immune checkpoint inhibitors and other novel agents.
More About Immuno-Oncology Program Research
What kinds of research does an Immuno-Oncology program do?
An Immuno-Oncology program can be understood as a type of translational research program, where research and clinical experience go hand-in-hand. There are two focuses of translational research, both employed here at BIDMC.
- The application of discoveries made in the laboratory to the development of clinical trials and studies in humans.
- The adoption of the best possible treatment is based on such trials and studies.
By engaging in laboratory research, physicians can learn more about how to treat patients. Much of the research being done in our program focuses on the body's immune agents and their response to certain treatments.
Kidney Cancer Research
BIDMC has joined forces with Dana-Farber and other Harvard Medical School hospitals to conduct basic research into the molecular basis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Led by Dr. David F. McDermott of BIDMC, the program seeks to identify meaningful biomarkers for early detection and prognosis, novel therapeutic targets and potential therapies.
At the heart of kidney cancer research at BIDMC and DF/HCC is the SPORE grant. DF/HCC renal cancer researchers have been awarded a prestigious "Specialized Program of Research Excellence" (SPORE) grant from the National Cancer Institute. This is the only SPORE ever awarded for the study of kidney cancer. This grant has enabled BIDMC and its partners to become one of the world-wide leaders in kidney cancer research.
