Prof. Shiv S Pillai

The Pillai laboratory asks basic questions about the biology of the immune system and human genetics for two reasons: (1) Can we manipulate the immune system to treat cancer and to increase immunological memory; and (2) Can this information be used to better understand and develop new therapies for chronic inflammatory human diseases such as arthritis, lupus and Crohn’s disease? Our discovery of the role of an enzyme called Btk in the activation of B cells has contributed to the generation of Btk inhibitors that are effective in B cell malignancies and in trials of autoimmunity. One of the pathways we are currently studying suggests new approaches for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. We have also found a novel way to strengthen immune responses and enhance helper T cell memory that provides hope for developing more effective personalized immune-system based treatments for cancer.