Faculty A-Z
Sheila Drover
Associate Professor of Immunology M.Sc., Ph.D. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵBioMedical Sciences Immunology
709-864-2896
Email:
sdrover@mun.ca
Address:
Faculty of Medicine ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ University of Newfoundland Health Sciences Centre St. Johnâ€TMs, NL Canada, A1B 3V6 Office: H1846 Labs: H1835/1844-45
DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH – IMMUNE MARKERS AND IMMUNOMODULATION IN BREAST CANCER
The Drover laboratory previously showed that patients with breast cancer had a better outcome if their tumor cells expressed certain types of HLA molecules, contained large numbers of infiltrating CD4+T-cells and expressed high levels of IFN-γ. We also found that HLA expression and evidence of immunity depended on the type of breast cancer. Cancer cells can escape immune destruction due to upregulation of inhibitory or checkpoint molecules such as PD-1 and LAG3 on immune cells and PD-L1 on cancer cells. However, these inhibitory and other molecules can be targeted by drugs such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and small kinase inhibitors. Our current work is focusing on two areas 1) investigating the mechanism of deregulated IFN-γ and HLA pathways in HER2-positive breast cancer and 2) immunomodulation of HLA and PD-L1 on cancer cell lines using small kinase inhibitors and targeted immune therapeutics.
Funding for Dr. Drovers’ research has come from various sources: Medical Research Foundation Awards at ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ University, Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance, Medical Research Council, CIHR and RDC, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, (Atlantic Chapter).
Lab Photos:
Selected Publications:
Mostafa AA, Codner D, Hirasawa K, Komatsu Y, Young MN, Steimle V, Drover S PLoS One. 2014 Jan 27;9(1):e87377
PMID: 24475282
Robila V, Ostankovitch M, Altrich-Vanlith ML, Theos AC, Drover S, Marks MS, Restifo N, Engelhard VH.
J Immunol. 2008 Dec 1;181(11):7843-52.
PMID:19017974
Oldford SA, Robb JD, Codner D, Gadag V, Watson PH, Drover S. Int Immunol. 2006 Nov;18(11):1591-602.
PMID: 16987935
Oldford SA, Robb JD, Watson PH, Drover S. Int J Cancer. 2004 Nov 10;112(3):399-406.
PMID:15382064
Campoli M, Chang CC, Oldford SA, Edgecombe AD, Drover S, Ferrone S.
Breast Dis. 2004;20:105-25. Review.
PMID:15687712
Spurrell DR, Oldford SA, Frost T, Larsen B, Codner D, Edgecombe A, Drover S. Hum Immunol. 2004 Dec;65(12):1516-29.
PMID:15603880