Andy J Minn, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Radiation OncologyUniversity of Pennsylvania
Dr. Minn is an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also Director of the Mark Foundation Center for Immunotherapy, Immune Signaling, and Radiation. His laboratory is focused on understanding the role of pattern recognition receptors (PRR) and interferon (IFN) signaling pathways in cancer. These pathways are typically associated with pathogen infection; however, in the context of cancer, endogenous nucleic acids can mimic viral infection. As a consequence, ensuing anti-viral signaling can orchestrate tumor progression, response to conventional therapies, response to immunotherapies, and influence the immune microenvironment. Moreover, these PRR/IFN pathways can be therapeutically exploited to modulate the immune system. One way is through activation of the DNA damage response. An overarching goal is to translate mechanistic findings to better inform the design of clinical trials.