As a member of the Translational Immunology Research Program at the Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB), Dr. Watanabe is interested in understanding how immune cells recognize and interact with brain tumor cells—as well as why immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) immunotherapy does not efficiently enhance the immune response against brain cancer. He utilizes multidisciplinary approaches, including high-dimensional flow cytometry, single cell transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics, and microscopy. His ultimate goal is to develop novel immunotherapeutic approaches to treat high-risk brain tumors, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). 

In order to develop novel immunotherapy treatments against brain tumor, it is critically important to understand how the immune system and brain tumor interact with one another. Dr. Watanabe utilizes preclinical GBM animal models to understand this fundamental question. His specific research interests include:

1. Initial T cell recognition of brain tumor antigens

2. Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) responsible for T cell activation or exhaustion in response to tumor antigens

3. Migration of activated T cells to the brain tumor microenvironment

4. Control of the activated T cell response by brain tumors and/or the tumor microenvironment

Because current ICI immunotherapies have limited benefit for GBM patients, improving patient selection for clinical trials and ICI treatment is important. Dr. Watanabe is involved in clinical trials at the Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB), and is developing methodology for profiling patient blood immune cells—which will help predict who will respond to ICI immunotherapy. This clinical research complements his preclinical animal studies, and will help bring new immunotherapies from bench to bedside.