Dmitri Gabrilovich, MD/PhD

Founder, Organizer

Dr. Dmitry Gabrilovich is a prominent figure in cancer immunology, currently serving as the Chief Scientist in Cancer Immunology at AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, Maryland. His research primarily focuses on understanding how tumors suppress the immune system and developing innovative immunotherapies to counteract these mechanisms.

Dr. Gabrilovich earned his medical degree from Kabardino-Balkarian State University in Nalchik, Russia, in 1984, followed by a Ph.D. in Infectious Diseases from the Central Institute of Epidemiology in Moscow in 1989.

Throughout his career, Dr. Gabrilovich has held several notable academic and research positions. He was the Robert Rothman Endowed Chair in Cancer Research and Head of the Section of Dendritic Cell Biology at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. Later, he became the Christopher M. Davis Professor in Cancer Research at The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia, where he also led the Immunology, Microenvironment & Metastasis Program.

Dr. Gabrilovich's groundbreaking work includes identifying the impaired function of dendritic cells in cancer patients and co-discovering myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which play a significant role in tumor-induced immune suppression. His laboratory has extensively studied the biology of immature myeloid cells and their association with cancer, linking MDSCs to various signaling pathways such as NF-κB, Jak-STAT, Notch, Wnt, and Rb. His research has also revealed that tumor cells can produce the free radical peroxynitrite, leading to resistance against certain cancer immunotherapies.
In recognition of his contributions to cancer research, Dr. Gabrilovich was awarded the title of Research Professor by the American Cancer Society in 2019.

Dr. Gabrilovich's work continues to influence the field of cancer immunology, particularly in understanding tumor-immune interactions and developing strategies to enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies.

Gabrilovich Lab

Publications

Dr. Dmitry I. Gabrilovich has made significant contributions to cancer immunology, particularly in understanding the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in tumor-induced immune suppression. Here are some of his notable cancer-related publications:

"Myeloid-derived suppressor cells as regulators of the immune system" (2009): In this influential paper, Dr. Gabrilovich and co-author Srinivas Nagaraj discuss the mechanisms by which MDSCs suppress immune responses in cancer, highlighting their role in tumor progression and potential as therapeutic targets.

"Coordinated regulation of myeloid cells by tumours" (2012): This publication explores how tumors manipulate myeloid cells to create an immunosuppressive environment, detailing the pathways involved and implications for cancer therapy.

"Production of vascular endothelial growth factor by human tumors inhibits the functional maturation of dendritic cells" (1996): Dr. Gabrilovich and colleagues demonstrate that tumor-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) impairs dendritic cell maturation, contributing to immune evasion by tumors.

"Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells" (2017): In this review, Dr. Gabrilovich provides a comprehensive overview of MDSCs, discussing their development, function, and role in cancer, as well as strategies for targeting these cells in therapeutic interventions.

These publications underscore Dr. Gabrilovich's pivotal role in advancing our understanding of the interplay between the immune system and cancer, particularly through his research on MDSCs and their impact on tumor progression and therapy resistance.

Education

Dr. Dmitry I. Gabrilovich has an extensive educational background in medicine and infectious diseases. He earned his Medical Degree (MD) in Medicine from Kabardino-Balkarian State University in Nalchik, Russia, in 1984. Following this, he obtained his PhD in Infectious Diseases from the Central Institute of Epidemiology in Moscow, Russia.

After completing his PhD, Dr. Gabrilovich pursued further training in dendritic cell biology at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom. He then underwent training in cancer research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and Vanderbilt University in the United States.

This comprehensive educational and training background has been foundational to Dr. Gabrilovich's pioneering work in cancer immunology, particularly his research on tumor-induced immune suppression and the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in cancer progression.

Professional Activities

Dr. Dmitry I. Gabrilovich has held several notable positions throughout his career in cancer immunology. He served as the Robert Rothman Endowed Chair in Cancer Research and Head of the Section of Dendritic Cell Biology at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. Later, he became the Christopher M. Davis Professor in Cancer Research at The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia, where he also led the Translational Tumor Immunology Program.

In 2019, Dr. Gabrilovich was awarded the title of Research Professor by the American Cancer Society, recognizing his significant contributions to cancer research.

Currently, he holds the position of Chief Scientist in Cancer Immunology at AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Dr. Gabrilovich's research has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of tumor-induced immune suppression, particularly through his work on dendritic cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). His studies have identified key mechanisms by which tumors evade the immune system, leading to the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies.

Throughout his career, Dr. Gabrilovich has been recognized as one of the most highly cited researchers in the field of immunology, reflecting the impact of his work on the scientific community.