Our lab is dedicated to studying adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a rare but aggressive cancer of the adrenal cortex, affecting approximately 1–2 people per million each year. ACC is associated with a poor prognosis, particularly in advanced stages, due to its high metastatic potential and limited response to conventional therapies.

ACC is frequently characterized by excessive steroid hormone production, which can contribute to disease progression and adversely affect patient outcomes. Understanding how these hormones influence tumor biology and the surrounding microenvironment is critical for developing more effective treatments.

Our research focuses on how the tumor microenvironment drives ACC progression and resistance to therapy, particularly through its effects on the immune system. We are investigating how steroid hormones produced by ACC tumor cells affect the function of T cells and macrophages, key players in anti-tumor immunity. By uncovering these mechanisms, we aim to identify new therapeutic strategies to modulate macrophage activity, enhance immune responses, and improve outcomes for patients with ACC.