In 2001, Masonic Scholar Evidio Domingo-Musibay, M.D., was just getting his start as a young cancer researcher when scientists made a major breakthrough by mapping the human genome.
Ever since, Domingo-Musibay has been laser-focused on unraveling the molecular contributors to cancer and, specifically, how the immune system can be used to stop the disease.
This year, with Masonic support, he launched three clinical trials to determine which immune-based therapies are most effective in patients with metastatic melanoma, a particularly challenging cancer to treat, which has a low five-year rate of survival.
Domingo-Musibay and his team will be testing the impact of radiation therapy on T cell and NK cell immune response against melanoma tumors. They believe that radiation therapy will work with their immunotherapy regimen to stimulate anti-tumor activity. They are currently recruiting patients and laying the groundwork to make these trials a success.
“I am grateful to Minnesota Masonic Charities for supporting my research on the effects of radiation on immunologic recognition of melanoma tumors. These funds will allow for a deeper understanding of in situ vaccination in metastatic melanoma clinical trial participants.”
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