Kristin Lastwika, PhD

Dr. Kristin Lastwika studies interactions between the immune system and tumors and aims to translate these insights into new ways to detect, visualize and treat early-stage lung cancer. In particular, she studies immune proteins called autoantibodies. Immune cells release antibodies to protect us against infection, but can also produce autoantibodies that recognize our own tissues, including tumors. Dr. Lastwika uses a platform that enables her to isolate tumor-directed autoantibodies directly from cancer patients. She is working to turn these into new biomarker tests, imaging tools and cancer immunotherapies.