Greg M Delgoffe, PhD

The Delgoffe Lab studies the impact of the tumor microenvironment on T cell subsets that infiltrate the tumor. We aim to dissect how tumor cells promote an immunosuppressive environment through the modulation of metabolism. We are currently examining this from two major perspectives.

Immunometabolism of tumor-infiltrating Treg cells

Treg cells, while critical for preventing autoimmunity, provide a major barrier to antitumor immunity. Our studies suggest that tumors promote the function of these suppressive T cells by providing critical metabolic intermediates that support Treg cell function. We aim to dissect how different metabolites promote or inhibit Treg cell function generally, as well as determine whether these pathways can be targeted to relieve tumor-induced suppression and promote antitumor immunity.

Metabolic reprogramming of exhausted antitumor CTLs

Tumors provide chronic TCR stimulation to tumor-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes, as well as stimulation through co-inhibitory receptors. This results in a dysfunctional T cell phenotype known as T cell exhaustion. We hypothesize that T cell exhaustion is a metabolic phenotype, and that metabolism can be reprogrammed in tumor-specific CTLs to enhance their function, resulting in heightened antitumor responses.

Dr. Delgoffe is currently accepting graduate students for rotations in the laboratory, as well as applications for postdoctoral fellows.

Cancer Immunology Journal Club - University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

Dr. Delgoffe runs a journal club that meets on the most Wednesdays of every month at 5:00pm in the Second Floor Conference Room at the Hillman Cancer Center. We discuss any interesting, cool, or novel papers in the broad field of immunology and inflammation related to cancer. If you are interested in attending or presenting at the journal club, please email Dr. Delgoffe (gdelgoffe@pitt.edu) to be added to our weekly mailing list.