Speaker Profile
M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Biography
Baochun Zhang is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School. His research has advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying B-cell lymphoma development. His group has unveiled that the Epstein-Barr virus, a known tumor virus, can provoke a broad anti-tumor immune response, opening the door to understanding the potential impact of EBV-induced immunity on a wide range of EBV-negative cancers. Dr. Zhangs work has elucidated the formation of cytotoxic CD4+ T cells, particularly focusing on the role of the CD70CD27 and OX40LOX40 costimulatory pathways in this process. Building on these insights, he is pioneering innovative strategies to generate cytotoxic CD4+ T cells targeting multiple antigens for immunotherapy in both liquid and solid cancers. His efforts promise to enhance cancer research and treatment, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.
Talk
Multispecific Cytotoxic CD4+ T-cells for Cancer Therapy
Recent advances in tumor immunity highlight the potential of CD4+ cytotoxic T-cells (CD4 CTLs) in cancer therapy, offering benefits for long-term anti-tumor immunity and safety. I will present our findings on developing and translating multiantigen-targeted CD4 CTL therapies for liquid and solid cancers.
Emerging Therapeutics Showcase:
Dana-Farber
Since its founding in 1947, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts has been committed to providing adults and children with cancer with the best treatment available today while developing tomorrow's cures through cutting-edge research.
Session Abstract – PMWC 2025 Silicon Valley
The PMWC 2025 Emerging Therapeutics Showcase will provide a 15-30 minute time slot for selected companies and researchers in the CRISPR, Cell and Gene Therapy fields. Major advancements in safer cell- and gene-level editing technologies are bringing us closer toward cures for life-threatening disorders, from cancer to HIV to Huntington’s disease. Cell therapy, in which cellular material such as T cells capable of fighting cancer cells, is injected into a patient, has been demonstrated safe and effective. The popular new CRISPR tool that has been used to edit the genetic code of nearly any organism will have an enormous impact on human health. More than a dozen clinical trials employing CRISPR on human cells are already underway.
- Emerging Therapeutics/Cell Therapy
- Emerging Therapeutics/CVD
- Emerging Therapeutics/Gene Therapy
- Emerging Therapeutics/Immunotherapy
- Emerging Therapeutics/Radiation Therapy
