Debolina Dasgupta

[KU Cancer Center @KUcancercenter]

A new "Triple Threat" CAR T-cell therapy developed at KU Cancer Center is designed to attack three cancer targets at once, potentially overcoming a major challenge in treating blood cancers.

Ramesh Balusu, PhD, scientific director of the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center, recently sat down with @SocietyofHemOnc to discuss early results from a phase 1 clinical trial and the benefits of engineering T-cells on-site.

https://t.co/XGGeNHPhdF

[Debolina Dasgupta @DeboGupta]

I am delighted to present my PhD thesis research at the @DDWMeeting DDW2026. Thanks to my mentor @ImmunolKalyani , my colleague and friend @AprajitaTripat5 and all of the #PyaramLab members for their support.

[Kalyani_Pyaram @ImmunolKalyani]

Excited to present today at #IMMUNOLOGY26 #AAI in #Boston! I’ll be sharing grad student @DeboGupta's research work on the role of Nrf2 in regulating helper T cell differentiation in ulcerative colitis. Looking forward to the discussions and networking. #PyaramLab

[Kalyani_Pyaram @ImmunolKalyani]

We are deeply honored to be the first recipients of Nora's Sparkle 🦄🫶💕 https://t.co/07VjSoxvzJ Meeting Jani and Brent was incredibly moving, humbling, and inspiring. Your support fuels purpose into our work @vivekanandVNY #DIPG #CancerResearch

[Kalyani_Pyaram @ImmunolKalyani]

@vivekanandVNY and I had a great time hosting the #YadavLab and #PyaramLab holiday party 2025🎄🎁 Feeling blessed! @AprajitaTripat5 @DeboGupta @Yadavmonika15

[Van Andel Institute (VAI) @VAInstitute]

Congrats to Dr. Russell Jones (@DrRGJonesLab) for being named to this year’s @Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers list — a distinction marking him as a leader in his field.

Read more: https://t.co/gJJhYQopJh
#HighlyCited2025 @ClarivateAG

[KUMC Department of Cancer Biology @KUMCCancerBio]

This week, Dr. Kalyani Pyaram, Assistant Professor in the Cancer Biology department at the University of Kansas Medical Center, hosted PIVOT members for a tour of her lab.  PIVOT stands for Patient and Investigator Voices Organizing Together.  It is a patient research advocacy initiative at The University of Kansas Cancer Center. PIVOT provides cancer survivors, co-survivors, and researchers with the opportunity to work together to design research that may lead to improved treatments and therapies. It is one of the few such cancer center patient research advocacy initiatives in the country. In addition to giving a tour of her lab, Dr. Pyaram gave a presentation about the research in her lab aimed at developing new strategies to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies for solid cancers. She explained about immunotherapies, particularly about T-cell–based immunotherapies, including CAR T cells, and how they work to fight cancers. Patients and survivors in attendance had the opportunity to ask questions, explore the research space, and gain a deeper understanding of the scientific research work happening behind the scenes to improve cancer care. More information on the PIVOT program can be found at [https://t.co/Ih5ZK2jlB0 and you can learn more about Dr. Pyaram’s research at [https://t.co/QH9w4y2rMW

[Debolina Dasgupta @DeboGupta]

It was an amazing experience attending and presenting my PhD thesis project at the 2025 Cancer Biology Annual Retreat #Cabtrac2025. Thanks to my mentor @ImmunolKalyani and all members of the #PyaramLab for their help and support.

[KUMC Department of Cancer Biology @KUMCCancerBio]

We’re thrilled to announce two recent publications from Dr. Kalyani Pyaram's lab that illuminate the pivotal role of Nrf2 in CD4⁺ T-cell function and its therapeutic targeting in immunopathogenic disease.

In Cell Reports, Aprajita Tripathi and colleagues demonstrate that Nrf2 dynamically orchestrates CD4⁺ T-cell activation and expansion, enhancing early activation, IL-2 production, and TCR signaling, while rewiring metabolism—shifting from glycolysis toward glutaminolysis—to fuel robust proliferation. 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116177

In The Journal of Immunology, Debolina Dasgupta and team show that the Nrf2 activator RTA-408 (Omaveloxolone) suppresses effector T-cell responses and alleviates colitis— in vitro (reducing IFN-γ, IL-17; increasing Foxp3⁺ Tregs), in vivo (in mouse models of colitis )and ex vivo (in IBD patient cells), indicating the potential of repurposing it for inflammatory diseases. Mechanistically, RTA-408 reprograms T-cell metabolism toward the pentose phosphate pathway and glutaminolysis. https://t.co/89yAYHQBnJ

Together, these complementary studies—from fundamental mechanisms of T-cell metabolism to translational therapeutic potential in IBD—underscore the innovative and impactful work emerging from our department. Importantly, these are the first studies to establish Nrf2 as an immunometabolic checkpoint for CD4⁺ T-cell-driven inflammation and its effector functions. Congratulations Pyaram Lab!

[Debolina Dasgupta @DeboGupta]

Delighted 🎉💃🥂

[Kalyani_Pyaram @ImmunolKalyani]

Two recent publications from #PyaramLab in @CellReports @J_Immunol by @AprajitaTripat5 @DeboGupta establishing the role of Nrf2 in CD4⁺ T cell activation, expansion, and inflammatory responses by rewiring metabolism are now out🥳
https://t.co/ElrEcuZJ7x https://t.co/zTZk793yaH

[Kalyani_Pyaram @ImmunolKalyani]

Two recent publications from #PyaramLab in @CellReports @J_Immunol by @AprajitaTripat5 @DeboGupta establishing the role of Nrf2 in CD4⁺ T cell activation, expansion, and inflammatory responses by rewiring metabolism are now out🥳
https://t.co/ElrEcuZJ7x https://t.co/zTZk793yaH

[Debolina Dasgupta @DeboGupta]

@vivekanandVNY @ImmunolKalyani @AprajitaTripat5 Thank you so much Dr. Yadav!

[Debolina Dasgupta @DeboGupta]

Delighted to share my first ever first author PhD thesis project investigating the role of NRF2 activator RTA-408 in alleviating Inflammatory Bowel Disease #PyaramLab @ImmunolKalyani @AprajitaTripat5 💃💃💃

https://t.co/kOzQxCR3J6

[Debolina Dasgupta @DeboGupta]

@sonnytmlee @AprajitaTripat5 @ImmunolKalyani Thank you Dr. Lee😁

[Aprajita @AprajitaTripat5]

Publication Alert! Our paper is out! So happy to contribute to this work! @DeboGupta @ImmunolKalyani 🎉🎉🎉🎉#Pyaramlab

[KU Cancer Biology Student Society @CanBioStudents]

Thank you all for attending the CBIO Society meeting. It was great catching up with everyone. Happy Friday! @KUMCCancerBio

[K-State Arts and Sciences @KStateArtSci]

We are proud to sponsor the Kansas Science Festival from 11-4 p.m. on April 26 at the Manhattan Public Library! This science, technology, engineering, art, and math event will spark excitement and curiosity in all learners! Learn more here: https://t.co/hxcl5eZS49 @KScienceFest

[KUMC Department of Cancer Biology @KUMCCancerBio]

Julia Opara received 2nd place in the Student Reseach Forum (SRF) Poster Session!

This forum exists to serve the students at the University of Kansas Medical Center, to advance their research and to bolster their professional development.

The forum provides a public stage for the presentation, assessment and discussion of their scientific investigations as well an opportunity to recognize and award exceptional research efforts.

Congratulations Julia!

[Kalyani_Pyaram @ImmunolKalyani]

Nadine is a star potdoc supported by @ImmunologyAAI and we are lucky to have her in #Pyaramlab

[Kalyani_Pyaram @ImmunolKalyani]

It was such a pleasure hosting wonderful ⁦@Chrystal_Paulos⁩ ⁦@KUMCCancerBio⁩ seminar series and learning about the cool work on harnessing Tcell prowess ⁦@PaulosLab⁩ We had an amazing time. #PyaramLab Thanks 🙏 for visiting @AprajitaTripat5 ⁦@DeboGupta⁩