Akhila Kunuthuru

Ms. Akhila Kunuthuru


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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2 August 2026 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SWS. Jennifer Wang
S. Jennifer Wang
CHCarolyn Haynes
Carolyn Haynes
LGLaura Graham
Laura Graham
AKAkhila Kunuthuru
Akhila Kunuthuru
GTGina Tuzzolo
Gina Tuzzolo
Harry D. BearHarry D. Bear
Harry D. Bear
Background: Immune-checkpoint blockade (ICB) is a recent addition to the treatment options for breast cancer, especially the triple-negative (TNBC) subset. Inhibiting immunosuppressive factors in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and preventing or reversing T cell exhaustion may increase the likelihood of a response to ICB. We have shown that decitabine and guadecitabine, DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi), prevent the systemic and TME accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which are immunosuppressive. Results: Here, we show that adding DNMTi to the neoadjuvant + adjuvant ICB-based treatment of ICB-resistant 4T1 and E0771 murine tumors in Balb/C and C57Bl/6 mice, respectively, effectively reduced the tumor burden, with 52% of 4T1 tumors completely regressing across several studies. DNMTi-based therapy overcame ICB resistance (ICBR) in a selected subline of E0771, and treated tumors showed a reduction in MDSCs. We also show that, in E0771, DNMTi can overcome ICBR to multiple checkpoint inhibitors, and in 4T1, it can modulate anti-tumor immunity by enhancing central memory T cell (Tcm) formation and reducing T cell exhaustion. Conclusion: These pre-clinical findings support the further investigation of incorporating DNMTi as a new immunotherapy modality for TNBC.