Zheng’s research focuses on two R01-funded projects; first, the group has developed a pancreatic cancer immunotherapy research program on a neoadjuvant therapy platform as well as a number of preclinical models of pancreatic cancer for developing innovative immunotherapy strategies. The group has applied the knowledge gained from pancreatic cancer immune-based therapies to the development of a colorectal cancer GVAX vaccine. Second, the group is aimed at understanding the mechanistic roles of the tumor microenvironment in cancer development and metastasis and identifying new targets for pancreatic cancer therapies by dissecting the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Anders’ laboratory focuses on the basic processes that lead to cancer. His team approaches these questions through the use of both experimental models and examination of human tissues. His team is specifically interested in interrogating the immune microenvironment of cancer, detecting circulating cancer cells and preventing cancer metastasis.