Dr. Silver is a head and neck surgical oncologist with a translational research lab. She treats patients at the Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute (HNI) and Taussig Cancer Center. She is a Principal Investigator of a lab in the Center of Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology (CITI). She serves as the Director of Head and Neck Cancer Research.
The overall goal of our lab is to improve the lives of head and neck cancer patients through translational research and inspire and train the next generation of physician-scientists and scientists. Our mission is to contribute to the scientific understanding of head and neck cancer by using preclinical models and patient tissue samples, and explore novel ways to reprogram the tumor immune microenvironment for therapeutic benefit.
Our main areas of research include:
RNA nano-vaccines for head and neck cancer: We use preclinical models to investigate the effects of novel therapeutics on the tumor immune micro-environment. We are developing personalized therapeutic mRNA nano-vaccines for recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer and thyroid cancer. Our lab aims to understand the anti-tumor mechanisms of these vaccines by investigating effects on immunosuppressive myeloid cells.
Comparative Oncology, feline oral cancer immunotherapy clinical trial: In order to facilitate translation from bench to bedside, in collaboration with the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, we are running a clinical trial for feline pets with oral cancer.
Oral microbiome and the tumor immune-microenvironment: We are investigating the role of pathogenic oral bacteria and their effects on oral cancer growth and progression via immunologic interactions. We utilize preclinical models of oral cancer and human tissue samples for our experiments. We hope to identify potential microbial targets that can be used to develop therapies for patients.