Frequently Asked Questions
Research Initiatives
1. How can I learn more about your current research projects?
Feel free to explore our Research tab, which outlines our major scientific focus areas, including tumor immunology, TIL therapy, and computational modeling. We also regularly update our publications page with new findings and ongoing studies.
2. What types of immunotherapies is your lab currently investigating?
Our lab is investigating several innovative immunotherapies, including neoadjuvant checkpoint blockade, personalized cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses, and adoptive cell therapies like TILs. These therapies are designed to enhance immune responses within the challenging glioblastoma environment.
3. What is TIL therapy, and how is your lab advancing it for glioblastoma?
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy uses a patient’s own immune cells extracted from their tumor to fight that patient’s cancer. We’re working to optimize the selection, engineering, and expansion of TILs to improve their persistence and efficacy in glioblastoma.
4. Why is glioblastoma particularly resistant to immunotherapy?
Glioblastoma creates a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and employs multiple immune evasion strategies, making it difficult for traditional immunotherapies to work effectively. Our lab is focused on identifying and overcoming these barriers.
5. What departments is lab affiliated with?
We are affiliated with Duke Neurosurgery and also Medicine, Integrative immunobiology, Pharmacology and Cancer Biology.
6. What graduate programs is lab affiliated with?
Immunology, MCB, UPGG and the CBB program.
Get Involved
7. I’m a patient or a caregiver. Where can I find information about enrollment in clinical trials?
Information about active and upcoming clinical trials from the Khasraw lab and the Duke Cancer Institute, please visit the Duke Health Website here. We recommend speaking directly with your care team to determine eligibility. Please also reference the News tab for information about ongoing, upcoming, or terminated clinical trials.
Events and Resources
8. Do you offer talks, seminars, or public events?
Our laboratory participates in seminars, scientific poster sessions, and public outreach events throughout the year. Any upcoming events are listed on the Duke Event Calendar
9. Are there educational resources for students or the public?
Please see our Projects and Publications tab for more information on TIL therapy, immune checkpoint inhibition, oncolytic viruses, and more.
Miscellaneous
10. How frequently is the website updated?
We aim to update our site regularly to reflect new research findings, publications, and lab news. Major updates occur at least quarterly, with additional posts as needed.
11. What if I still have questions?
If you haven’t found what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to reach out via the Contact Us page. We’re happy to answer questions or direct you to the appropriate resource.