Damon Runyon Researchers

Dr. Mancias is exploring the synergistic interactions between radiation therapy and targeted immunotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, “PDAC”). While this treatment combination has shown dramatic benefits for patients with certain cancer types, it has been challenging to predict which patients will respond and to determine how to harness the anti-tumor immune cell effects of radiation. Identifying the PDAC radiation-induced antigens will shed light on the interaction between the immune system and radiation and provide the basis for designing effective immunotherapies for patients with pancreatic and other cancers (such as glioblastoma, prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancers, pediatric cancers).