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Lastwika
Kristin Lastwika, PhD
- Assistant Professor, Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutch
- Joint Assistant Professor, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutch
- Member, Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center (IIRC), Fred Hutch
Background
Dr. Kristin Lastwika studies interactions between the immune system and tumors and aims to translate these insights into new ways to detect, visualize and treat early-stage lung cancer. In particular, she studies immune proteins called autoantibodies. Immune cells release antibodies to protect us against infection, but can also produce autoantibodies that recognize our own tissues, including tumors. Dr. Lastwika uses a platform that enables her to isolate tumor-directed autoantibodies directly from cancer patients. She is working to turn these into new biomarker tests, imaging tools and cancer immunotherapies.
Education
George Washington University, 2014, PhD (Immunology)
University of Aberdeen, 2008, MSc (Immunology)
University of Nevada Las Vegas, 2007, BS (Biotechnology)
Research Interests
Cancer Early Detection
Immunotherapy
Autoantibodies
Current Studies
Translating autoantibodies into immunotherapies
Lung cancer early detection