Immunotherapy Research Laboratory

The Immunotherapy Research Laboratory (IRL) investigates tumor immune responses and develops new cancer immunotherapies. The laboratory also develops immunotherapies to prevent respiratory tract infections in cattle, dogs and cats, as well as for treatment of ocular viral infections and ocular cancer in horses and cats. A third program focuses on stem cell therapy for treatment of chronic infections and for wound healing, with studies in rodent models and pet dogs.

research project

Cancer Immunotherapy

Dow, Wotman, Boss, Martin, Regan, McGrath

Studies investigating the use of oral immunotherapies and tumor vaccines for bone cancer and brain cancer in dogs, and in mouse models. Investigation of CAR T cell therapy for treatment of bone cancer metastases in dogs. New immunotherapies for treatment of corneal cancer investigated using horse cancer model.

research project

Immunity in Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases

Pezzanite, Goodrich, Easley

- Joint immunity in osteoarthritis in horse and mouse models.
- Cellular therapy to treat infections and stimulate joint health.

research project

Non-Invasive GI Diagnostic Technologies

Manchester, Lappin

- Gene profiling in inflammatory bowel disease in dogs and cats using stool specimens.

research project

Airway Immunity in Cattle

Raabis

- Analysis of airway immune responses in healthy and stressed cattle.

research project

Topical Drug Delivery Technologies for Wound Care and Ocular Care

McGilvray, Pezzanite, Lappin

- Evaluation of VitalFoam technologies in animal models and clinical trials.
- Evaluation of Ocummune eye drops for chronic herpesvirus infection in cats.

Publications

Losartan Blocks Osteosarcoma-Elicited Monocyte Recruitment, and Combined With the Kinase Inhibitor Toceranib, Exerts Significant Clinical Benefit in Canine Metastatic Osteosarcoma

Regan DP, Chow L, Das S, Haines L, Palmer E, Kurihara JN, Coy JW, Mathias A, Thamm DH, Gustafson DL, Dow SW. Clin Cancer Res. 2022 Feb 15;28(4):662-676. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-21-2105. PMID: 34580111; PMCID: PMC8866227.

Novel ocular immunotherapy induces tumor regression in an equine model of ocular surface squamous neoplasia

Wotman KL, Chow L, Martabano B, Pezzanite LM, Dow S. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2022 Nov 11. doi: 10.1007/s00262-022-03321-2. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36367558.

Canine polarized macrophages express distinct functional and transcriptomic profiles

Chow L, Soontararak S, Wheat W, Ammons D, Dow S. Front Vet Sci. 2022 Nov 1;9:988981. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.988981. PMID: 36387411; PMCID: PMC9663804.

Non-specific protection from respiratory tract infections in cattle generated by intranasal administration of an innate immune stimulant

Wheat W, Chow L, Rozo V, Herman J, Still Brooks K, Colbath A, Hunter R, Dow S. PLoS One. 2020 Jun 25;15(6):e0235422. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235422. PMID: 32584899; PMCID: PMC7316291.

Activated Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy for Treatment of Multi-Drug Resistant Bacterial Infections in Dogs

Johnson V, Chow L, Harrison J, Soontararak S, Dow S. Front Vet Sci. 2022 Jun 23;9:925701. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.925701. PMID: 35812842; PMCID: PMC9260693.

more publications

People

Steve Dow

DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Laboratory Director

[email protected]

Lyndah Chow

PhD
Cheif Laboratory Scientist

Jade Kurihara

BS
Laboratory Manager

Renata Impastato

BS
Animal Model Development

Eri Kaburaki

DVM
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Graduate Program
Project: Development and Evaluation of CAR T Cells for Canine Cancer

Alison Manchester

DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Project: Non-Invasive GI Diagnostic Technologies

Peter Linde

PhD
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Project: Investigations of Cellular Therapy and Immune Responses in Osteoarthritis

Haylee Smith

BS
MS Student
Project: Immunotherapy for Treatment of Equine Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Emma Mangold

BS
Project: Development of New Intratumoral Immunotherapeutics for Cancer

Lynn Pezzanite

DVM, PhD, DACVS
Active Collaborator
Immune and Microbiome Modulation in Musculoskeletal Diseases

Kathryn Wotman

DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACVO
Active Collaborator
Ocular and Genital Immunotherapy for Cancer in Horses

Sarah Raabis

DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Active Collaborator
Understanding Airway Immunity in Cattle

Kirk McGilvray

PhD
Active Collaborator
New Drug Delivery Technologies for Wound Management

Shiori Arai

DVM PhD DACVS
Active Collaborator
Novel Anit-Fibrotic Approaches to Management of Chronic Heart Disease in Dogs

Keara Boss

DVM PhD DACVIM
Radiation Oncology
Active Collaborator
Radio-Immunotherapy for Head and Neck Cancers in Dogs and Cats.

Lab rafting trip down the Poudre river.

Dow lab on their rafting trip before getting on the water.

Dow lab on a hiking trip.

news and updates view all

April 26, 2019 Man’s best friend: Translational Medicine Institute accelerates bench-to-bedside therapies for all species

A goofy poodle named Gus is making an immortal contribution to human and animal health. Gus belongs to Dr. Steve Dow and his wife, Robyn Elmslie, but stem cells from his skin will someday belong to the world.
October 12, 2018 Zoobiquity Colorado explores connections between human and animal health

Learn about Dr. Dow’s research to develop immunotherapy for kids & dogs with cancer.
February 23, 2018 Boris the polar bear, 32, receives stem cell treatment

Dr. Valerie Johnson gives Boris the Polar Bear an innovative stem cell treatment for his arthritis.

contact information

Offices:
Animal Cancer Center room B250
Translational Medicine Institute room 235

Laboratories:
Animal Cancer Center rooms B254, B260
Translational Medicine Institute rooms 235, 250

(970) 297-4014