Robert M. Samstein, M.D., Ph.D.

Research Project:
Improving Responses to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Lung Cancer

Grant Awarded:

Lung Cancer Discovery Award

Research Topics:

gene expression transcription
immunology immunotherapy

Research Disease:

lung cancer

By the start of this award, our research program had recovered for the large part from the COVID pandemic and all staff were operating at full time in person where necessary. We did have some quarantine periods for various lab members which served as intermittent interruptions and slowed progress to a minor extent.

Update: With the assistance of the ALA Lung Cancer Discovery Award we have made significant early progress in understanding the role of B cells in immunotherapy outcomes within our model systems although large questions still remain. Dramatic changes were observed with B cell elimination suggesting tumor microenvironmental influence and contribution to T cell responses. Further functional studies are planned to gain key insights into B cell direct function that will ultimately inform treatment strategies for lung cancer.

Page last updated: September 9, 2026

Robert M. Samstein, MD, PhD

A Breath of Fresh Air in Your Inbox

Robert M. Samstein, MD, PhD

A Breath of Fresh Air in Your Inbox

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