
Srividya Swaminathan Lab
Research Lab Overview
A large number of lymphoid neoplasms are currently being treated with conventional chemotherapies that are toxic for normal cells. Of note, healthy lymphocytes express the normal counterparts of oncoproteins, making direct targeting of oncogenes difficult. Therefore, identification of therapies that can specifically target cancer cells is required. The immune system is a natural defense mechanism against cancers that can be activated to specifically kill malignant cells.
Development of targeted immunotherapy against lymphoid malignancies requires distinguishing normal and malignant lymphocytes in two respects: (1) Cell-intrinsic signaling, that includes surface molecules and intracellular signaling, and (2) Regulation of immune microenvironment. Srividya Swaminathan’s laboratory will study these aspects by comparing both cell-intrinsic processes, and the spatial and temporal distribution of the immune system during normal and malignant lymphopoiesis, using approaches including mass cytometry (CyTOF), CIBERSORT and humanized mouse models. This knowledge will be applied for the development of cell-based and other immunotherapies. Sponsors for the Swaminathan Lab research include the NCI/NIH, LLS, ASH, St. Baldrick's Foundation, Leukemia Research Foundation, Prevent Cancer Foundation, and Concern Foundation.
An Associate Professor in the Department of Systems Biology, Srividya Swaminathan's research focuses on immune profiling of normal and malignant lymphopoiesis, molecular mechanisms of immune modulation by oncogenes, development of cell-based and non-cell-based immunotherapies against lymphoid neoplasms.

Lab Members


Research Focus:
Xinying Guo's research investigates ligands present in ALL cells and their corresponding receptors on NK cells associated with exhaustion, inhibition, and activation. These interactions are regulated during the development of human and mouse ALL. Reversing the defects as mentioned earlier using the CRISPR system.
- Generate CRISPR NK cells
- Evaluate the in vitro and in vivo function of the gene-edited NK cells.
Degrees:
- BSc in Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, 2022-2023
- BSc in Biochemistry and Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 2019-2022


Research Focus:
- LFPRLR as a specific therapeutic target in pathogenic B-cell subsets in patients with SLE
Education:
- 2016: BS Biology at Occidental College
- 2017: MS Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at University of Southern
California
Professional Experience
- 2017-2021: Dong Sung Lab at UCLA's AIDS Institute
- 2022-2023: Nora Heisterkamp Lab at City of Hope (DSB)
- 2023-Current: Srividya Swaminathan Lab at City of Hope (DSB)


Research Focus:
- Molecular mechanisms of immune surveillance in B- and T-lymphoid malignancies
- Identification of alternative treatment approaches for high-risk pediatric lymphoid malignancies
Publications
- Chouhan, S.; Muhammad, N.; Usmani, D.; Khan, T.H.; Kumar, A. Molecular Sentinels: Unveiling the Role of Sirtuins in Prostate Cancer Progression. 2025, Int. J. Mol. Sci.
- Anil Kumar and Srividya Swaminathan. Type I Interferons: leukemia's old foe in the limelight again. 2024, Haematologica, (Editorial).
- Chouhan, S.; Kumar, A.; Muhammad, N.; Usmani, D.; Khan, T.H. Sirtuins as Key Regulators in Pancreatic Cancer: Insights into Signaling Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications. 2024, Cancers.
- Chouhan, S.; Kumar, A.; Piprode, V.; Dasgupta, A.; Singh, S.; Khalique, A. Regulatory-Associated Protein of mTOR-Mediated Signaling: A Nexus Between Tumorigenesis and Disease. 2024, Targets.
- Anil Kumar, Adeleh Taghi Khani, Caroline Duault, et al., Intrinsic suppression of type I interferon production underlies the therapeutic efficacy of IL-15-producing natural killer cells in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 2023, The Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer.
- Adeleh Taghi Khani, Anil Kumar, Ashly Sanchez Ortiz, Kelly C. Radecki, Soraya Aramburo, Sung June Lee, Zunsong Hu, Behzad Damirchi, Mary Y. Lorenson, Xiwei Wu, Zhaohui Gu, William Stohl, Ignacio Sanz, Eric Meffre, Markus Müschen, Stephen J. Forman, Jean L. Koff, Ameae M. Walker & Srividya Swaminathan. Isoform-specific knockdown of long and intermediate prolactin receptors interferes with evolution of B-cell neoplasms. 2023, Nature Communications Biology.
- Anil Kumar, Adeleh Taghi Khani, Ashly Sanchez Ortiz, and Srividya Swaminathan. GM-CSF: A Double-Edged Sword in Cancer Immunotherapy. 2022, Frontiers in Immunology.
- Lekha Rani, Anil Kumar, Juilee Karhade, Garima Pandey, Adrita Guha, Gyan C. Mishra and Mohan R. Wani. IL-3 regulates the differentiation of pathogenic Th17 cells. 2022, European Journal of Immunology.
- Anil Kumar, Adeleh Taghi Khani, and Srividya Swaminathan. Harnessing Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Innate Immune Responses for Cancer Treatment: Advances and Challenges. 2022, Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine.
- Anil Kumar and Srividya Swaminathan. Natural Killer Cell Phenotype at Diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Predicts Disease Prognosis. 2021, J Vasc Med Surg.
- Anil Kumar, Adeleh Taghi Khani, Srividya Swaminathan. Type I interferons: One stone to concurrently kill two birds, viral infections and cancers. 2021, Current Research in Virological Science.
- Anil Kumar, Sung June Lee, Qiao Liu, Anthony KN Chan, Sheela Pangeni Pokharel, Jianhua Yu, Chun-Wei Chen, and Srividya Swaminathan. Generation and validation of CRISPR-engineered human natural killer cell lines for research and therapeutic applications. 2021, STAR Protocols.
- Caroline Duault*, Anil Kumar*, Adeleh Taghi Khani, Sung June Lee, Lu Yang, Min Huang, Christian Hurtz, Bryan Manning, Lucy Y. Ghoda, Tinisha McDonald, Norman J Lacayo, Kathleen M Sakamoto, Martin P. Carroll, Sarah K Tasian, Guido Marcucci, Jianhua Yu, Michael A Caligiuri, Holden T. Maecker, Srividya Swaminathan. Activated Natural Killer Cells Predict Poor Clinical Prognosis in High-risk B- and T- cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. 2021, Blood (Co-first authors).
- Kuan-Hui Ethan Chen, Mrinal Ghosh, Lorena Rivera, Samuel Lin, Anil Kumar, Srividya Swaminathan, Mary Y. Lorenson, Ameae M. Walker. Prolactin enhances T regulatory cell promotion of breast cancer through the long-form prolactin receptor. 2021, Translational Oncology.
- Vikrant Piprode, Kanupriya Singh, Anil Kumar, Snehal R Josh, Mohan R Wani. IL-3 inhibits rat osteoclast differentiation induced by TNF-α and other pro-osteoclastogenic cytokines. 2021, J Biosci.
- Anil Kumar, Rani L, Mhaske ST, Pote ST, Behera S, Mishra GC, Wani MR. IL-3 Receptor Expression on Activated Human Th Cells Is Regulated by IL-4, and IL-3 Synergizes with IL-4 to Enhance Th2 Cell Differentiation. 2020, J. Immunology.
- Parul Dutta, Sehbanul Islam, Srinadh Choppara, Pallabi Sengupta, Anil Kumar, Avinash Kumar, Mohan R Wani, Subhrangsu Chatterjee, and Manas Kumar Santra. The tumor suppressor FBXO31 preserves genomic integrity by regulating DNA replication and segregation through precise control of cyclin A levels. 2019, J. Biol. Chemistry.
- Garimella MG, Kour S, Piprode V, Mittal M, Anil Kumar, Rani L, Pote ST, Mishra GC, Chattopadhyay N, Wani MR. Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Prevent Systemic Bone Loss in Collagen-Induced Arthritis. 2015, J. Immunology. Link
Awards & Memberships
- Member, American Society of Hematology (ASH) | 2025
- DBT International Travel Grant | Govt. of India | 2016
- Senior Research Fellowship (CSIR) | Govt. of India | 2014-2019
- Junior Research Fellowship (CSIR) | Govt. of India | 2012-2014
- Qualified CSIR-JRF Exam (Rank 29) | 2011
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE-2011) | Qualified
- National Eligibility Test Lectureship (NET) | Qualified, 2010
Patents
- Engineered NK Cells. Inventors: Swaminathan S, Kumar A, Taghi Khani A, Lee SJ, Chen CW. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Pending. Filed 2020.
- Methods for detecting dysfunctional NK cells in leukemia patients. Inventors: Swaminathan S, Maecker HT, Kumar A, Duault C, Taghi Khani A. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Pending. Filed 2021.


Research Focus:
Analysis of the impact of Prolactin Receptor Long-Form (LFPRLR) in the modulation of pathogenic B-cell subsets and potential therapeutic applications
Degrees
- 2019, PhD., Immunology, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- 2015, MSc., Bioscience, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- 2011, BSc., Biomedical Science, State University of Santa Cruz, Brazil
Lab Alumni


Research Focus:
- Delineating the mechanisms by which oncogenes suppress natural killer cells in B‐cell and T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- Using neural stem cells as therapeutic prodrug delivery vehicles for glioma
Education:
- 2021-present, Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences, Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
- 2021-present, Veterinary Residency in Laboratory Animal Medicine, Center for Comparative Medicine, City of Hope, Duarte, CA
- 2017-2021, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
- 1999-2004, Bachelor of Science in Animal Science: Pre‐Vet Option, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA
Professional Experience:
- 2016-2017, Senior Research Associate; 2008-2016, Research Associate II; 2007-2008, Research Associate I; Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA
- 2006-2007, Animal Health Technician, Center for Comparative Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA
- 2005-2006, Quality Inspector, Fill/Finish Department, Kelly Services, Baxter Bioscience, Los Angeles, CA
Memberships:
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
- Southern California Branch of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (SCB‐AALAS)
- California Laboratory Animal Medicine Society (CLAMS)
Publications:
- Kumar, A., Khani, A. T., Duault, C., Aramburo, S., Ortiz, A. S., Lee, S. J., et al.. (2023). Intrinsic suppression of type I interferon production underlies the therapeutic efficacy of IL-15-producing natural killer cells in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, 11(5), e006649.
- Taghi Khani, A., Kumar, A., Sanchez Ortiz, A., Radecki, K. C., Aramburo, S., Lee, S. J., et al. (2023). Isoform-specific knockdown of long and intermediate prolactin receptors interferes with evolution of B-cell neoplasms. Communications Biology, 6(1), 295. doi: 10.1038/s42003-023-04667-8
- Haber, T., Cornejo, Y. R., Aramburo, S., Flores, L., Cao, P., Liu, A. et al. (2020). Specific targeting of ovarian tumor-associated macrophages by large, anionic nanoparticles. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(33), 19737-19745. doi:10.1073/pnas.1917424117
- Tiet, P., Li, J., Abidi, W., Mooney, R., Flores, L., Aramburo, S. et al. (2019). Silica Coated Paclitaxel Nanocrystals Enable Neural Stem Cell Loading For Treatment of Ovarian Cancer. Bioconjugate Chemistry, 30(5), 1415-1424. doi:10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00160
- Gutova, M., Flores, L., Adhikarla, V., Tsaturyan, L., Tirughana, R., Aramburo, S. et al. (2019). Quantitative Evaluation of Intraventricular Delivery of Therapeutic Neural Stem Cells to Orthotopic Glioma. Frontiers in Oncology, 9. doi:10.3389/fonc.2019.00068
- Mooney, R., Majid, A. A., Mota, D., He, A., Aramburo, S., Flores, L. et al. (2018). Bcl-2 Overexpression Improves Survival and Efficacy of Neural Stem Cell-Mediated Enzyme Prodrug Therapy. Stem Cells International, 2018, 1-13. doi:10.1155/2018/7047496
- Barish, M. E., Herrmann, K., Tang, Y., Argalian Herculian, S., Metz, M., Aramburo, S. et al. (2017). Human Neural Stem Cell Biodistribution and Predicted Tumor Coverage by a Diffusible Therapeutic in a Mouse Glioma Model. STEM CELLS Translational Medicine, 6(6), 1522-1532. doi:10.1002/sctm.16-0397
- Ghoda, L., Metz, M., Tirughana, R., Aramburo, S., Gilchrist, M., Gutova, M. et al. (2017). STEM-32. PRECLINICAL SAFETY AND EFFICACY STUDIES OF NEURAL STEM CELL MEDIATED CARBOXYLESTERASE/IRINOTECAN ENZYME/PRODRUG GENE THERAPY FOR RECURRENT GLIOMA LEADING TO FIRST-IN-HUMAN PHASE I CLINICAL TRIAL. Neuro-Oncology, 19(suppl_6), vi232-vi233. doi:10.1093/neuonc/nox168.947
- Cao, P., Mooney, R., Tirughana, R., Abidi, W., Aramburo, S., Flores, L. et al. (2017). Intraperitoneal Administration of Neural Stem Cell–Nanoparticle Conjugates Targets Chemotherapy to Ovarian Tumors. Bioconjugate Chemistry, 28(6), 1767-1776. doi:10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00237
- Cao, P., Tirughana, R., Nwokafor, U., Aramburo, S., Flores, L., Berlin, J., & Aboody, K. S. (2016). 209. Stem Cell/Nanoparticle Constructs for Targeted Ovarian Cancer Therapy. Molecular Therapy, 24, S81-S82. doi:10.1016/s1525-0016(16)33018-0
- Li, Z., Oganesyan, D., Mooney, R., Rong, X., Christensen, Matthew J., Shahmanyan, D. [et al. including Aramburo, S.] (2016). L-MYC Expression Maintains Self-Renewal and Prolongs Multipotency of Primary Human Neural Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports, 7(3), 483-495. doi:10.1016/j.stemcr.2016.07.013
- Aboody, K., Li, Z., Oganesyan, D., Mooney, R., Christensen, M., & Shahmanyan, D. [et al. including Aramburo, S.] (2015). Stem-10 L-myc expression promotes human neural stem cell multipotency. Neuro-Oncology, 17(suppl 5), v210.2-v210. doi:10.1093/neuonc/nov234.10
- Mooney, R., Weng, Y., Tirughana-Sambandan, R., Valenzuela, V., Aramburo, S., & Garcia, E. et al. (2014). Neural stem cells improve intracranial nanoparticle retention and tumor-selective distribution. Future Oncology, 10(3), 401-415. doi:10.2217/fon.13.217
- Aboody, K., Najbauer, J., Metz, M., D'Apuzzo, M., Gutova, M., & Annala, A. [et al. including Aramburo, S.] (2013). Neural stem cell‐mediated enzyme/prodrug therapy for glioma: Preclinical studies. Science Translational Medicine, 5(184), 184ra59‐184ra59. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3005365


Research Focus: Tumor immunology and Immune cell-based therapy


Sung June Lee received his bachelor's degree in integrative biology from University of California Berkeley. He did an internship at Cedars-Sinai where he mainly worked with an immunotherapy targeting brain tumors. In October 2019, he joined the laboratory of Srividya Swaminathan, Ph.D., at City of Hope as a research associate I. His current research is focused on searching a novel mechanism and biomarkers in MYC-driven leukemia.


Research Focus:
- lentivirus production, CRISPR library cloning, DNA/RNA/plasmid DNA extraction/preparation
Education:
- Bachelors from UC Berkeley in molecular and cell biology (class of 2020)
Professional Experience:
- 2017-2020 Lab Technician at UC Berkeley Isacoff Lab
- 2020-2021 Research Technician at Zymo Research Corporation, Epigenetics team
- 2021-present Research Associate II/Lab Manager for Dr. Swaminathan’s lab
Partnerships
We collaborate with organizations in progressing the development of new treatments in our specialized areas of research.

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Contact Information
34.1293409, -117.971358
Duarte, CA 91010