The central idea of my research is that appropriate stimulation of the immune system will provide an effective strategy for the treatment and prevention of childhood cancers. Our research, therefore, seeks to understand the influence of the immune system during cancer progression and to use this knowledge to develop approaches to induce therapeutic anti-cancer immune activity. In addition to evaluating the impact of immune responses on established disease, our research seeks to identify the influence of the immune system before cancer is detected. To achieve these goals, we use a range of experimental systems, including transgenic mice, transplant and adoptive transfer models, human xenograft models, and ex vivo and in vitro analysis of patient samples and human cell lines. It is hoped this broad approach will expedite the development of effective new treatments for children with cancer.