Jianmei Leavenworth, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery and assistant program director at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, has reached a significant milestone with her 50th study published on PubMed.

Her research continues to advance the understanding of cancer immunology, particularly in the fight against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), one of the most aggressive and fatal forms of brain cancer.

Leavenworth has dedicated her career to studying tumor immunology and oncolytic virotherapy alongside other faculty members. Her work focuses on how the immune system interacts with tumors and how genetically modified oncolytic viruses (OVs) can be used to enhance immune responses. Over the years, Leavenworth has explored immune signaling pathways, tumor immune evasion and the role of oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSVs) in destroying tumors while boosting immune defenses. A major breakthrough in her research involved engineering oHSVs to express interleukin-12 (IL-12), a protein that enhances the body’s ability to fight cancer and prevent tumor recurrence. Her latest study examines how reprogramming the tumor microenvironment improves long-term immune memory by targeting the IL6ra-Bcl6 axis in CD4 T cells, offering new hope for more effective GBM treatments.

Leavenworth’s contributions bridge laboratory research with clinical applications, paving the way for innovative cancer immunotherapies. With 50 publications and ongoing research, her work continues to shape the future of brain cancer treatment, providing new strategies for improving patient survival and outcomes.

To read more about Leavenworth’s research, click here.