Reshmi Parameswaran, MS, PhD
Dr. Parameswaran is a cancer biologist focusing on developing novel immunotherapeutic approaches for cancer. Parameswaran lab is working on ways to activate natural killer cells for adoptive therapy of hematological cancers and also in developing novel CAR-T and CAR-NK cells, exploiting the cancer cell specific immune receptors.
Dr. Parameswaran is an Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology; Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine; Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and a Member, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Research Projects
- Adoptive Natural Killer (NK) cell transfer has shown promise in cancer therapy, but the field has been hampered by insufficient cytotoxic activity of adoptively transferred NK cells in patients. Parameswaran lab is focusing on the role of tumor microenvironmental factors, transcription factors, post-translational modifications as well as dietary ingredients in regulating the cytotoxic function of NK cells.
- B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) arises by malignant transformation of a progenitor (pre-B) cell. Cure rates in adults remain low and treatment is complicated by support provided by the microenvironment to the leukemic cells, promoting their survival and drug resistance. Parameswaran lab is focusing on understanding the mechanisms of drug resistance in ALL cells and better ways to target these cells.
- Parameswaran lab is also focused in developing novel CAR-T and CAR-NK cells for treating hematological malignancies and autoimmune diseases.
