News
Lustgarten Clinical Trial Initiative (CAI) Award
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Dr. Andrew Lowy and Dr. Shweta Joshi have launched a Phase 1b clinical trial evaluating the Syk inhibitor R788 (fostamatinib) in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel for patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. This trial is built on pioneering discoveries from Dr. Shweta’s lab, which identified Syk inhibition as a potential strategy to enhance chemotherapy responses. The study, supported by a prestigious Lustgarten clinical trial grant, aims to assess the safety and efficacy of this novel combination therapy. This trial is also supported by the Cure Bound Cure Prize.
Lustgarten Clinical Accelerator Initiative (CAI) Recipients Announced
Cure Bound Cure Prize, 2023
Dr. Shweta Joshi and Dr. Andrew Lowy, winners of the 2023 CureBound Cure Prize, were recently featured in CureBound’s Researcher Spotlight for their innovative contributions to cancer research. Their work focuses on advancing novel therapeutic strategies, including targeting Syk signaling in pancreatic cancer. This recognition highlights their ongoing efforts to develop cutting-edge treatments and improve patient outcomes.
Curebound Grants, Applications, Research Portfolio, Partners
CureBound Discovery Award, 2023
Joshi lab in collaboration with Dan Kaufman received Cure Bound Discovery award, 2023. The Discovery team aims to investigate how immunosuppressive myeloid cells impede the function of natural killer cells and if targeting them can boost natural killer cell cytotoxicity in neuroblastoma tumors. The goal is to improve responses to anti-GD2 immunotherapy and explore combining it with “off-the-shelf” human iPSC-derived natural killer cells to enhance survival in children with neuroblastoma.
SYK as a Promising Target for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Dr. Shweta Joshi's group shows a FDA-approved Syk inhibitor (Fostamatinib) can reprogram macrophages, enhance the anti-tumor immune response, and improve the efficacy of Gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer.
Twitter: UC San Diego Health Sciences Recognition of Dr. Shweta Joshi's Group.
CUREBOUND DISCOVERY GRANT, 2022
Joshi lab received a competitive Discovery grant award from Cure Bound in collaboration with Dr. Judith Varner. This funding will allow us to develop novel therapeutic approaches to improve immunotherapy efficacy in high-risk neuroblastoma.
Curebound grants, applications, research portfolio, partners
NIH R01 AWARD, 2021
The Joshi lab received a five-year, $2.0M R01 grant from the NIH to investigate how SYK promotes neuroblastoma growth and whether targeting SYK can enhance anti-tumor immune responses in neuroblastoma.
Padres Pedal Award, 2020
Dr. Joshi’s Lab got funds from “Padres Pedal the Cause” to develop novel immunotherapies for neuroblastoma.
NIH K22 AWARD, 2019
Dr. Joshi was awarded a three-year, $500K grant from the NCI to support research aimed at understanding role of myeloid Syk in inhibiting adaptive immune responses in solid tumors.
Joshi Lab Established at Moores Cancer Center, UCSD, 2019
Joshi Lab was established at the Moores Cancer Center (MCC), where it focuses on cutting-edge cancer research and therapeutic development.