#  Robbie Majzner 

Member of the Faculty of Pediatrics

 

 

 



   ![majzner_robbie.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum5411/files/styles/hwp_4_5__480x600/public/immunologyphd/files/majzner_robbie.jpg?itok=fMqnrGvy) 

 



 

 location\_on Dana Farber Cancer Institute 450 Brookline Avenue Smith Building SM-1158A Boston, MA 02215 

 email [robbie\_majzner@dfci.harvard.edu](mailto:robbie_majzner@dfci.harvard.edu) 

 laptop\_windows [Lab Website](https://majznerlab.com/) 

 

 



 

 The core mission of The Majzner Laboratory is to leverage discoveries in basic immunology and cancer biology to develop and test new immunotherapeutics in children and adults with cancer. Our research program focuses on three core areas: 1) Developing CAR T cell platforms centered on cell signaling; 2) Uncovering the immunobiology of the cancer targets including GD2 and related gangliosides; 3) Carrying out early phase clinical trials of immunotherapies. These research areas feed into one another, providing novel targets and platforms for clinical translation and subsequent reverse translation to overcome therapeutic resistance.

 1) Engineer CAR T cells inspired by basic signaling biology: CAR T cells have revolutionized the treatment of certain hematologic malignancies, but they have not yet mediated substantial benefit in patients with solid tumors. To develop CARs that are safer and more effective for solid tumors, we have developed new receptors that differ substantially in their structure from those that have been utilized for the last thirty years. By studying how CAR T cells propagate their internal signals, we utilize proximal signaling molecules to alter the efficacy and specificity of these powerful therapeutics.

 2) Uncover the biology of the cancer targets to improve therapeutic targeting: While CAR engineering has advanced significantly over the last decade, the antigens we target are often recycled from validated antibody targets. We believe that a better understanding of the basic biology of these targets, including their regulation, function, and interaction with immune cells, can drive improved immunotherapy development. For instance, GD2 is a sugar expressed on the surface of tumor cells in certain cancers. Pediatric oncologists have been targeting GD2 for more than twenty years, but little was understood about its role or regulation. We discovered that GD2 can suppress immune function, explaining why tumors might express this molecule on their surface, and how it is regulated, an advance that will allow us to use anti-GD2 therapies to target a multitude of cancers.

 3) Early phase clinical trials of immunotherapies: As a practicing pediatric oncologist, Dr. Majzner is dedicated to bringing forward early phase clinical trials of immunotherapies in both children and adults. Testing our laboratory discoveries in the clinic informs future iteration and approaches and allows us to refine our work in the laboratory to overcome emerging mechanisms of resistance.

 By fostering a research program that spans basic science with translational immunotherapy, The Majzner Laboratory strives to make discoveries that enable the development and translation of effective therapies for children and adults with otherwise incurable cancers.



 

 

 





 

 

- ## Experimental Approach
    
     [Cellular Immunology](/experimental-approach/cellular-immunology) [Lymphocyte Biology](/experimental-approach/lymphocyte-biology) [Molecular Immunology](/experimental-approach/molecular-immunology) [Technology Development](/experimental-approach/technology-development)
- ## Field of Study
    
     [Cancer Immunology](/field-study/cancer-immunology) [Cell Death](/field-study/cell-death) [Chemokines](/field-study/chemokines) [Clinical Immunology](/field-study/clinical-immunology) [Cytokines](/field-study/cytokines) [Immunotherapy](/field-study/immunotherapy) [Lymphocyte Activation](/field-study/lymphocyte-activation) [Neuro-Immunology](/field-study/neuro-immunology) [Signal Transduction](/field-study/signal-transduction) [Structural Immunology](/field-study/structural-immunology) [T Cells](/field-study/t-cells)
- ## Location
    
     [Dana Farber Cancer Institute](/location/dana-farber-cancer-institute)
- ## Organism
    
     [Human](/organism/human) [Mouse](/organism/mouse)
- ## People
    
     [Faculty](/people/faculty)