|
Dr. Richard Klasa serves as a Senior Scientist at the British Columbia Cancer Research Agency. Research within his group has focused on the use of biological agents in the treatment of malignancy. Cytokines, such as IL-2, are capable of inducing tumor regression by activation of various subsets of cytotoxic lymphocytes. His group developed protocols for patient treatment supported by pre-clinical in vitro cell culture work as well as animal models. Immunological assays, (MLC, NK, LAK, flow cytometric immunophenotyping) supported and enhanced phase I and II clinical trials of IL-2 allowing a "bench to bedside" interface. Dr. Klasa's major area of clinical research is in lymphoma and melanoma.
Very recently, he has begun pre-clinical work with antisense oligonucleotides targeting the BCL-2 gene in a SCID xenograft model that he has developed. His interdisciplinary group is a translational research unit whose goal is rapid transition from concept to clinical trial.
|
