Robert Prins Research Lab

Robert Prins Lab at UCLA

example of a glioblastoma growing in a patient's brain
Computer generated model of a Lymphocyte
A Model of the brain

We study immune-based therapies for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) tumors

Despite recent advances in traditional treatment options, the prognosis for most CNS tumor patients has not changed appreciably in twenty years. Thus, these patients are left with few treatment options. Members of our research group are attempting to apply what they learn from pre-clinical models towards the implementation of immunotherapy clinical trials for brain tumor patients. This work is translational in nature and straddles the boundary between clinical medicine and basic research. On one hand, our group spends a significant amount of time trying to understand the mechanisms by which tumor-specific T-cells can be activated to target tumor cells in the brain. On the other hand, Dr. Prins leads the laboratory effort for immunotherapy clinical trials at UCLA in glioma patients. This work represents the “bench to bedside” philosophy and is an active synergy between laboratory and clinical medicine.

Robert M. Prins, PhD: Principal Investigator

Robert M. Prins, Ph.D.

Dr. Robert Prins is a tumor immunologist and Professor with dual appointments in the departments of Neurosurgery and Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

News & Highlights

  • computed generated example of a dendritic cell
    Phase II Trial Results: Dendritic Cell Vaccination

    Adding immune-boosting agent to personalized cancer vaccine supercharges the body's immune defense against malignant brain tumors

  • example ihc imaage of perivascular cuffing in brain metastases
    Checkpoint Inhibition in Brain Metastases

    Our study could help explain why certain brain tumors don’t respond well to immunotherapy

  • computer generated example of a t cell killing a tumor cell
    Changes in GBM tumor microenvironment with ICB

    Our research shows why immune checkpoint blockade impedes but may not stop glioblastoma progression

  • computer generated example of a t cell killing a tumor cell
    Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab improves survival in GBM

    Our study suggests that for people with recurrent glioblastoma, administering an immunotherapy drug before surgery is more effective than using the drug afterward.

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