Overview
I have 22 years of experience in the field of cancer vaccines and immunotherapy and I am an accomplished T cell immunologist. Laboratory website:
https://surgery.duke.edu/immunology-inflammation-immunotherapy-laboratory
Current projects in the Nair Laboratory:
1] Dendritic cell vaccines using tumor-antigen encoding RNA (mRNA, total tumor RNA, amplified tumor mRNA)
2] Local immune receptor modulation using mRNA that encodes for antibodies, receptor-ligands, cytokines, chemokines and toll-like receptors (current target list: CTLA4, GITR, PD1, TIM3, LAG3, OX40 and 41BB)
3] Combination therapies for cancer: cytotoxic therapy (radiation, chemo and oncolytic poliovirus therapy) with dendritic cell-based vaccines and immune checkpoint blockade
4] Adoptive T cell therapy using tumor RNA-transfected dendritic cells to expand tumor-specific T cells ex vivo
5] Adoptive T cell therapy using PSMA CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) RNA-transfected T cells
6] Direct injection of tumor antigen encoding RNA (targeting antigens to dendric cells in vivo using nanoparticles and aptamers)
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Recent Publications
Controlling Release Kinetics of an Adjuvant from a Depot Improves the Efficacy of Local Immunotherapy in Metastatic Cancer.
Journal Article Adv Sci (Weinh) · July 6, 2025 Biomaterials can improve cancer immunotherapies by controlling their release and thereby optimizing their time-dependent engagement of the immune system. In this study, an approach is described to control the release of a potent immunostimulant-CpG oligode ... Full text Link to item CiteCurrent and future molecular diagnostics of palms phytoplasmas
Journal Article Phytopathogenic Mollicutes · June 1, 2025 Initial molecular diagnostic tools involved PCR amplification, often requiring nested PCR due to the low titre of phytoplasmas in infected palm and other species host tissues. This was followed by advanced techniques such as quantitative PCR assays and dig ... Full text CiteFigure S6 from Peripheral Blood IFN Responses to Toll-Like Receptor 1/2 Signaling Associate with Longer Survival in Men with Metastatic Prostate Cancer Treated with Sipuleucel-T
Other · April 3, 2025 <p>Related to Figure 4</p> ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Unraveling effects of gut and blood microbial signatures on immune phenotypes and organ dysfunction in sepsis
ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030Duke Research Training Program in Surgical Oncology
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2024 - 2029Advanced Immunobiology Traning Program for Surgeons
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2019 - 2029View All Grants