Associate Professor
Departments of Cancer Biology & Neurological Surgery
Scientific Director of Brain Tumor Research
Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center
Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine
​

Principal Investigator:
Derek A. Wainwright, Ph.D.

Our laboratory focuses on three primary research goals.
  • Investigate how glioblastoma (GBM) cell indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) promotes immunosuppressive T-reg infiltration, weakens the immune response, and reduces overall survival in both mouse models and human patients with GBM.  
  • Apply novel immunotherapy combinations for GBM patients. Our group was the first to demonstrate that combining radiation, anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), and pharmacological IDO1 enzyme inhibition leads to a significant survival advantage in preclinical models of intracranial brain tumors, which led to an ongoing Phase I clinical trial. 
  • Understand why older adults with GBM experience significantly shorter survival compared to younger patients.  We have shown that aging increases immunosuppression in both the mouse and human brain, and that this heightened immunosuppressive environment reduces the efficacy of immunotherapy involving radiation, anti-PD-1 mAb, and IDO1 inhibition in older GBM patients.  
 
The Wainwright Laboratory serves as an active training hub for students at all academic levels, including high school, undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, medical school, and residency.  Please contact us to inquire about joining our lab!

Follow Wainwright Lab on X to see the latest lab announcements and news: