Overview
Dr. Brown’s research focuses on leveraging intratumor innate immunity for cancer immunotherapy, particularly in the context of malignant brain tumors. Dr. Brown's lab uses mouse cancer models, ex vivo human tumor slice culture assays, and clinical trial associated specimens to decode mechanisms by which intratumor innate immune cells control cancer immune surveillance and develop novel in situ vaccine approaches that engage endogenous antitumor T cells. The Brown lab also collaborates with clinicians and other research groups to facilitate the translation of novel therapies, define determinants of successful immunotherapy, and elucidate mechanisms explaining immune dysfunction in patients with cancer.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Assistant Professor in Neurosurgery
·
2022 - Present
Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology,
Neurosurgery
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2023 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Transition from acute to chronic low back pain in a community-based cohort.
Journal Article J Pain · January 2025 The transition from acute to chronic low back pain (LBP) in community settings is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of recruitment and estimate the transition and continuation of chronic LBP. We also explored char ... Full text Link to item CiteTaking the STING out of radiotherapy: STING checkpoints mediate radiation resistance.
Journal Article J Clin Invest · December 2, 2024 The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase/stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS/STING) pathway is a critical driver of type I interferon (IFN-I) and antitumor CD8+ T cell responses after radiotherapy (RT). In this issue of the JCI, two reports describe mechanisms that re ... Full text Link to item CitePeripheral Blood IFN Responses to Toll-Like Receptor 1/2 Signaling Associate with Longer Survival in Men with Metastatic Prostate Cancer Treated with Sipuleucel-T.
Journal Article Cancer Res Commun · October 1, 2024 UNLABELLED: Mounting evidence links systemic innate immunity with cancer immune surveillance. In advanced metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), Black patients have been found to have increased inflammatory markers and longer survival aft ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Epigenetic Programming of T Cells for Enhanced Cellular Immunotherapy
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029Role of ATRX deficiency as a determinant of topoisomerase 1 inhibitor sensitivity in high grade gliomas
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by American Cancer Society, Inc. · 2025 - 2028Biomarkers to Advance Clinical Phenotypes of Low Back Pain (BACk)
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases · 2023 - 2028View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Duke University ·
2016
Ph.D.