Ala Nassar

Dr. Ala Nassar

Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

12Years (2015-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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3 March 2021 in Cancer Discovery
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MSMiguel F. Sanmamed
Miguel F. Sanmamed
XNXinxin Nie
Xinxin Nie
SDShruti S. Desai
Shruti S. Desai
FVFranz Villarroel-Espíndola
Franz Villarroel-Espíndola
TBTi Badri
Ti Badri
LCLieping Chen
Lieping Chen
Specific mechanisms by which tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) become dysfunctional remain poorly understood. Here, we employed a two-pronged approach using single-cell mass cytometry and tissue imaging technologies to dissect TILs from 25 patients with resectable and 35 patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We identified a burned-out CD8+ TIL subset (Ebo) that specifically accumulated within the tumor microenvironment (TME) but not in adjacent nontumoral tissues. Ebo showed the highest expression of proliferation and activation markers but produced the lowest amount of IFNγ and were the most apoptotic CD8+ TIL subset. Using a humanized patient-derived tumor xenograft model, we demonstrated that Ebo expansion occurred within the TME in a PD-1/B7-H1 pathway-dependent manner. Ebo abundance in baseline tumor tissues was associated with resistance to anti-PD therapy in patients with NSCLC. Our study identifies a dysfunctional TIL subset, with distinct features from previously described exhausted T cells, and implies strategies to overcome immunotherapy resistance. Significance: We identified a highly proliferative, overactivated, and apoptotic dysfunctional CD8+ tumor-infiltrating subpopulation that is functionally distinct from previously described exhausted T cells. This population is expanded in lung cancer tissues in a PD-1/B7-H1-dependent manner, and its abundance is associated with resistance to cancer immunotherapy, thus becoming a potential tissue biomarker. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1601

1 February 2017 in Drug Discovery Today
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Ala NassarAla Nassar
Ala Nassar
TWTerence Wu
Terence Wu
SNSamuel F. Nassar
Samuel F. Nassar
AWAdam V. Wisnewski
Adam V. Wisnewski

1 October 2015 in Drug Discovery Today
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Ala NassarAla Nassar
Ala Nassar
HOHideki Ogura
Hideki Ogura
AWAdam V. Wisnewski
Adam V. Wisnewski

5 February 2016 in Bioanalysis
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Ala NassarAla Nassar
Ala Nassar
AWAdam V Wisnewski
Adam V Wisnewski
KRKhadir Raddassi
Khadir Raddassi

18 December 2015 in Proteomics – Clinical Applications
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
Ala NassarAla Nassar
Ala Nassar
BWBrad J. Williams
Brad J. Williams
DYDustin C. Yaworksy
Dustin C. Yaworksy
VPVyomesh Patel
Vyomesh Patel
JRJames F. Rusling
James F. Rusling

26 January 2017 in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
Ala NassarAla Nassar
Ala Nassar
AWAdam V. Wisnewski
Adam V. Wisnewski
KRKhadir Raddassi
Khadir Raddassi