SUMMARY
Matthew S. Block, M.D., Ph.D., is an immunologist and medical oncologist with an interest in understanding the mechanisms leading to pathologic inflammation in cancer and developing novel immune-based cancer therapies.
His translational research efforts have focused on identifying genes and proteins that play key roles in inflammatory and immunosuppressive responses during tumorigenesis and progression of ovarian cancer and melanoma.
Dr. Block's goal is to use this understanding to develop and test novel immune-modulatory strategies, including vaccines and therapies that target pathologic inflammation, in order to enhance clinical outcomes for ovarian cancer and melanoma patients.
Focus areas
- Understanding inflammation and immunosuppression in ovarian cancer
- Identifying and testing novel immunotherapies for ovarian cancer and melanoma
- Developing therapeutic vaccines for ovarian cancer and melanoma
Significance to patient care
The focus of Dr. Block's translational research is identifying genes and proteins that lead to pathologic inflammation and immunosuppression in cancer patients. The goal of identifying key mediators of inflammation and immunosuppression is to develop therapies that can improve patients' immune responses to their tumors.
Dr. Block believes that designing ways to improve the immune response to cancer will lead to improvements in the survival of ovarian cancer and melanoma patients.