Dohun Pyeon receives MSU Research Foundation grant for novel cancer research

trueCollege of Natural Science,Microbiology09/18/2023Dohun Pyeon receives MSU Research Foundation grant for novel cancer research

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause more than five percent all human cancers worldwide, yet for many, current treatments are ineffective. Dohun Pyeon, an MSU professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics in the College of Natural Science, has received a 2023 Strategic Partnership Grant; the MSU Research Foundation is funding his work on the development of a new immunotherapy for HPV-associated cancers. As one of just three recipients for 2023, Pyeon will receive $480,000 over three years to help his lab reach its long-term goal of developing an inexpensive immunotherapy.

Each year, more than 500,000 deaths are linked to human papillomaviruses (HPV)-associated cancers including elusive head and neck cancers. For many, current treatments are ineffective.
Michigan State University microbiologist Dohun Pyeon is the recipient of a three-year, $480,000 Strategic Partnership Grant from the MSU Research Foundation to support his work in the development of a new immunotherapy for HPV-associated cancers.
With this new funding, Pyeon and his team will get the chance to continue their work and achieve proof-of-concept for further development of a novel cancer immunotherapy.
The team's long-term goal is to develop an effective, inexpensive immunotherapy that opens new avenues for effective cancer treatment.

Mollie Newman

A close up of a group of test tubes containing light blue liquid.

Different types of T cells (red, green, pink, orange) in the tumor microenvironment. Most T cells that surround the tumor are unable to infiltrate into the tumor (cyan & blue).

MSU Research Foundationcancer researchimmunotherapymicrobiology and molecular genetics