Thomas Gajewski

Thomas Gajewski is a Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Chicago. His research focuses on cancer immunotherapy, particularly mechanisms of immune evasion and strategies to enhance antitumor immunity. He leads multiple NIH-funded grants investigating the tumor microenvironment, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and the role of the microbiome in cancer therapy. Key areas include PD-1/PD-L1 pathways, STING signaling, and myeloid cell regulation. Gajewski's work bridges basic science and clinical translation, emphasizing translational approaches to improve immunotherapy efficacy and safety.

Major grants (selected):

• R35CA210098 (2016-2030): Overcoming resistance to anti-PD1 immunotherapy
• R01CA198496 (2015-2016): Germline and somatic variants in melanoma
• R01CA181160 (2014-2019): Host STING pathway in antitumor immunity

Research Interests: Immunomodulatory mechanisms, T cell dysfunction, microbiome-cancer interactions, and preclinical/clinical immunotherapy development. His lab explores how genetic and environmental factors (e.g., microbiota) influence tumor immune responses and therapy outcomes. Recent work highlights GDF-15 neutralization and PTPN22 regulation as therapeutic targets.

Publications emphasize clinical trials (e.g., nivolumab in AML), mechanistic studies (e.g., STING/TLR4 synergy), and translational insights (e.g., microbiome's role in checkpoint therapy). Notable contributions address immune-related adverse events and combination therapies to overcome resistance.