James McCarthy

Dr. James McCarthy is a Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Minnesota, holding the Chairman's Fund Professorship in Cancer Research. His work, spanning over three decades, focuses on protumorigenic changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) within cancerized stroma that drive malignant tumor progression. He currently leads research initiatives targeting ECM receptors with synthetic peptides, small molecule inhibitors, and immune cell strategies to treat prostate cancer, breast cancer, glioblastoma multiforme, and melanoma.

• Chairman's Fund Professorship in Cancer Research
• Co-Leader, Tumor Microenvironment Program, Masonic Cancer Center

Research Themes: His long-term contributions emphasize the role of tumor microenvironment interactions, particularly how ECM remodeling influences cancer progression. Current approaches include developing novel inhibitors and immunotherapeutic strategies against tumor-associated receptors.