Cancer immunotherapy to be discussed at next "Beer with a Scientist" event

Can we teach our own immune cells to kill cancer? Jason Chesney, M.D., Ph.D. of the James Graham Brown Cancer Center will discuss recent research at the next “Beer with a Scientist” program July 15
Cancer immunotherapy to be discussed at next "Beer with a Scientist" event

Jason Chesney, M.D., Ph.D.

One of the most promising areas of research in the fight against cancer is immunotherapy, or stimulating the body’s own immune system to destroy cancer. Jason Chesney, M.D., Ph.D., a professor in the University of Louisville Department of Medicine and the deputy director of the James Graham Brown Cancer Center, is conducting clinical trials using checkpoint inhibitors as well as modified herpes virus in the treatment of melanoma with impressive results.

Chesney will speak at the next “Beer with a Scientist” event about immunotherapy research being conducted at UofL and elsewhere and treatments that may be available in the next few years.

“We finally understand how to activate the human immune system to clear cancer cells, having developed new classes of immunotherapies that dramatically improve the survival of cancer patients,” Chesney said.

The program begins at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15 at Against the Grain Brewery, 401 E. Main St. A 30-minute presentation will be followed by an informal Q&A session.

The Beer with a Scientist program began in 2014 and is the brainchild of UofL cancer researcher Levi Beverly, Ph.D. Once a month, the public is invited to enjoy exactly what the title promises:  beer and science.

Admission is free. Purchase of beer, other beverages or menu items is not required but is encouraged.

Organizers add that they also encourage Beer with a Scientist patrons to drink responsibly.

For more information and to suggest future Beer with a Scientist topics, follow Louisville Underground Science on Facebook.