Dr. Stephen Mathew’s research focuses on understanding the role of natural killer (NK) cell receptors in different disease models like cancer and lupus. Natural killer (NK) cells are cells of the immune system that form the first line of defense against cancer and viral infections. The molecular basis of NK cell recognition and activation by target cells is poorly understood. The research in the laboratory is concentrated toward unraveling the molecular basis of tumor cell recognition by the NK cell and its multiple receptor-ligand interactions. Specifically, in collaboration with pediatric oncologists and basic science researchers, Dr. Mathew is investigating the role of immune receptors in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. This will provide important insights into the etiology of childhood leukemia as well as the development of new treatments that may improve the outcome of children with leukemia by modifying the function of immune cells in these patients.
The other projects in the laboratory deal with deciphering the role of immune receptors 2B4, CS1 and LLT1 in prostate cancer, breast cancer, Ewing sarcoma, and lupus.