Robert M. Prins, Ph.D.

  • Professor, Neurosurgery
RPrins@mednet.ucla.edu
  • Professor, Molecular and Medical Pharmacology
Research Areas
Lab Website
Publications
Researcher Robert Prins smiles in a suit

Robert M. Prins, Ph.D., studies how the immune system interacts with brain tumors to inform the development of immune-based therapies for central nervous system tumors. 

Prins' research focuses on understanding brain tumor immunology and enhancing the immune system's response to malignant brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma. He conducts clinical and translational research, performing mechanistic pre-clinical studies in brain tumor models to elicit productive anti-tumor immune responses. This work directly informs the design of new clinical trials for patients with glioblastoma. 

A key aspect of Prins' research is the development of dendritic cell vaccines, which use a person’s own white blood cells to stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells. He also investigates why certain brain tumors, including glioblastomas, are resistant to immune-based therapies that are effective in treating other cancers. By studying the complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment, Prins aims to overcome the mechanisms by which tumors evade or suppress the immune response to improve patient outcomes.

  • Investigating how tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells in the brain prevent T cells White blood cells that naturally fight against disease-causing invaders using specialized molecules, called receptors, on their cell surface. The receptors help T cells seek out and destroy virus-infected cells or cancer cells. T cells White blood cells that naturally fight against disease-causing invaders using specialized molecules, called receptors, on their cell surface. The receptors help T cells seek out and destroy virus-infected cells or cancer cells. from attacking tumors 
  • Studying how the timing between dendritic cell vaccination and immune checkpoint blockade therapy affects the quality and quantity of tumor-specific T cell responses
  • Examining the effects of immunotherapy A type of treatment that uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer, infections and other diseases. This approach has revolutionized cancer care and is also being applied in experimental treatments for HIV, lupus and other conditions. immunotherapy A type of treatment that uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer, infections and other diseases. This approach has revolutionized cancer care and is also being applied in experimental treatments for HIV, lupus and other conditions. on the tumor microenvironment

  • Fellowships

    • Neurosurgery, UCLA, 2002
    • Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 2001

    Degree

    • Ph.D., Anatomy and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, 2001

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