Pradeep Lab

Exploring Immunosuppressive Mechanisms in Ovarian Cancer

The Pradeep Lab investigates the role of immune cells and extracellular vesicles in ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer with a focus on their impact on tumor progression, metastasis, and immunotherapy resistance. Our research integrates immunology, genomics, and cancer biology to uncover novel therapeutic strategies.

Key Research Areas:

Immune Cell Reprogramming & Tumor Microenvironment: We study how immune cells, particularly macrophages and B cells, contribute to ovarian and uterine cancer progression. Our work explores metabolic adaptations in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and their role in immune evasion.

Extracellular Vesicles & Cancer Immunity: Our lab examines how tumor-derived extracellular vesicles  influence immune cells, including their role in metabolic gene regulation, and  immunosuppression and tumor growth.

B Cell Dynamics in Cancer: We investigate how distinct B cell subpopulations shape the TME, contributing to either anti-tumor immunity or immune suppression. Understanding these interactions could lead to targeted immunotherapeutic strategies.

SPHK1/S1P Signaling & Immune Modulation: Our studies reveal the dual impact of SPHK1 inhibition—not only suppressing tumor growth but also enhancing T cell-mediated immune responses. We are exploring its effects on immunosuppression.

Epitranscriptomic Regulation in Ovarian Cancer: Role of epitranscriptomic changes in cancer is not a well understood research area.  mRNA acetylation is an important epitranscriptomic mechanism in cancer cells, where many of those modifications promotes oncogene activation, tumor cell proliferation, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is a key step in metastasis. We are investigating how mRNA acetylation is  triggered and its impact in ovarian cancer progression.

Ray of Hope

Ray of Hope is a non-profit organization established in 2018 in the Greater Milwaukee Area in response to the need for more advocacy for ovarian cancer awareness and research. Ray of hope provides philanthropic support to ovarian cancer researchers like us to generate preliminary data to apply for high-risk and high-reward federal grants. Ray of hope believes in the bravery of all women who have fought or are fighting against ovarian cancer. Ray of hope is working for women around the globe to be brave and resilient in the fight against ovarian cancer – and their bravery should not go unnoticed.

It is always encouraging to work with organizations such as Ray of Hope, who are working hard to raise awareness about ovarian cancer. Our laboratory is partnering in the mission of Ray of Hope by identifying novel targets and treatment strategies to cure ovarian cancer.