Maria Angelica Cortez
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Maria Angelica Cortez has a total of 143 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Adel K. El-Naggar
Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
24 shared publications - Daniel J. McGrail
Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
24 shared publications - Diana Bell
Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, USA
24 shared publications - Felippe Lazar Neto
Department of Clinical Oncology Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP) São Paulo Brazil
24 shared publications - Hui Dai
Department of System Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
24 shared publications - Jared K. Burks
Department of Leukemia, Division of Center Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
24 shared publications
Latest Publications
- Open Access
- 26 November 2025
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Supplementary Figures and Tables from Inhibition of STAT6 with Antisense Oligonucleotides Enhances the Systemic Antitumor Effects of Radiotherapy and Anti–PD-1 in Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Supplementary Figures and Tables
- 26 November 2025
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Open AccessSupplementary Figures and Tables from Inhibition of STAT6 with Antisense Oligonucleotides Enhances the Systemic Antitumor Effects of Radiotherapy and Anti–PD-1 in Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Supplementary Figures and Tables
- Open Access
- 26 November 2025
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Data from Inhibition of STAT6 with Antisense Oligonucleotides Enhances the Systemic Antitumor Effects of Radiotherapy and Anti–PD-1 in Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Diverse factors contribute to the limited clinical response to radiotherapy (RT) and immunotherapy in metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), among which is the ability of these tumors to recruit a retinue of suppressive immune cells—such as M2 tumor-associated macrophages (TAM)—thereby establishing an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that contributes to tumor progression and radio resistance. M2 TAMs are activated by the STAT6 signaling pathway. Therefore, we targeted STAT6 using an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) along with hypofractionated RT (hRT; 3 fractions of 12 Gy each) to primary tumors in three bilateral murine NSCLC models (Lewis lung carcinoma, 344SQ-parental, and anti–PD-1–resistant 344SQ lung adenocarcinomas). We found that STAT6 ASO plus hRT slowed growth of both primary and abscopal tumors, decreased lung metastases, and extended survival. Interrogating the mechanism of action showed reduced M2 macrophage tumor infiltration, enhanced TH1 polarization, improved T-cell and macrophage function, and decreased TGFβ levels. The addition of anti–PD-1 further enhanced systemic antitumor responses. These results provide a preclinical rationale for the pursuit of an alternative therapeutic approach for patients with immune-resistant NSCLC.
- 26 November 2025
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Open AccessData from Inhibition of STAT6 with Antisense Oligonucleotides Enhances the Systemic Antitumor Effects of Radiotherapy and Anti–PD-1 in Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Diverse factors contribute to the limited clinical response to radiotherapy (RT) and immunotherapy in metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), among which is the ability of these tumors to recruit a retinue of suppressive immune cells—such as M2 tumor-associated macrophages (TAM)—thereby establishing an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that contributes to tumor progression and radio resistance. M2 TAMs are activated by the STAT6 signaling pathway. Therefore, we targeted STAT6 using an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) along with hypofractionated RT (hRT; 3 fractions of 12 Gy each) to primary tumors in three bilateral murine NSCLC models (Lewis lung carcinoma, 344SQ-parental, and anti–PD-1–resistant 344SQ lung adenocarcinomas). We found that STAT6 ASO plus hRT slowed growth of both primary and abscopal tumors, decreased lung metastases, and extended survival. Interrogating the mechanism of action showed reduced M2 macrophage tumor infiltration, enhanced TH1 polarization, improved T-cell and macrophage function, and decreased TGFβ levels. The addition of anti–PD-1 further enhanced systemic antitumor responses. These results provide a preclinical rationale for the pursuit of an alternative therapeutic approach for patients with immune-resistant NSCLC.
- Open Access
- 25 November 2025
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Supplementary Data 1 from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
Supplementary material including methods, supplementary table 1, supplementary table 2, and supplementary table 3
- 25 November 2025
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Open AccessSupplementary Data 1 from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
Supplementary material including methods, supplementary table 1, supplementary table 2, and supplementary table 3
- Open Access
- 16 September 2024
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Data from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
Purpose: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a heterogeneous malignancy, and no effective systemic therapy exists for metastatic disease. We previously described two prognostic ACC molecular subtypes with distinct therapeutic vulnerabilities, ACC-I and ACC-II. In this study, we explored the ACC tumor microenvironment (TME) using RNA-sequencing and spatial biology to identify potential therapeutic targets. Experimental Design: Tumor samples from 62 ACC patients with available RNA-sequencing data that had been collected as part of previous studies were stained with a panel of 28 validated metal-tagged antibodies. Imaging mass cytometry (IMC) was performed using the Fluidigm Helios CyTOF instrument and analyzed with Visiopharm software. The B7-H4 antibody-drug conjugate AZD8205 was tested in ACC patient–derived xenografts (PDXs). Results: RNA deconvolution revealed that most ACCs are immunologically “cold”, with approximately 30% being “hot”. ACC-I tumors with a poor prognosis harbored a higher density of immune cells; however, spatial analysis by IMC revealed that ACC-I immune cells were significantly restricted to the stroma, characterizing an immune-excluded TME. ACC-I tumors overexpressed the immune checkpoint B7-H4, and the degree of immune exclusion was directly correlated with B7-H4 expression levels, an independent predictor of poor survival. Two ACC-I/B7-H4-high PDXs obtained 90% complete responses to a single dose of AZD8205, but none were observed with isotype-conjugated payload or in an ACC-II/B7-H4 low PDX. Conclusions: Spatial analysis revealed that ACC subtypes have distinct TMEs, with enrichment of ACC-I immune cells that are restricted to the stroma. B7-H4 is highly expressed in poor-prognosis ACC-I subtype and is a potential therapeutic target.
- 16 September 2024
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Open AccessData from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
Purpose: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a heterogeneous malignancy, and no effective systemic therapy exists for metastatic disease. We previously described two prognostic ACC molecular subtypes with distinct therapeutic vulnerabilities, ACC-I and ACC-II. In this study, we explored the ACC tumor microenvironment (TME) using RNA-sequencing and spatial biology to identify potential therapeutic targets. Experimental Design: Tumor samples from 62 ACC patients with available RNA-sequencing data that had been collected as part of previous studies were stained with a panel of 28 validated metal-tagged antibodies. Imaging mass cytometry (IMC) was performed using the Fluidigm Helios CyTOF instrument and analyzed with Visiopharm software. The B7-H4 antibody-drug conjugate AZD8205 was tested in ACC patient–derived xenografts (PDXs). Results: RNA deconvolution revealed that most ACCs are immunologically “cold”, with approximately 30% being “hot”. ACC-I tumors with a poor prognosis harbored a higher density of immune cells; however, spatial analysis by IMC revealed that ACC-I immune cells were significantly restricted to the stroma, characterizing an immune-excluded TME. ACC-I tumors overexpressed the immune checkpoint B7-H4, and the degree of immune exclusion was directly correlated with B7-H4 expression levels, an independent predictor of poor survival. Two ACC-I/B7-H4-high PDXs obtained 90% complete responses to a single dose of AZD8205, but none were observed with isotype-conjugated payload or in an ACC-II/B7-H4 low PDX. Conclusions: Spatial analysis revealed that ACC subtypes have distinct TMEs, with enrichment of ACC-I immune cells that are restricted to the stroma. B7-H4 is highly expressed in poor-prognosis ACC-I subtype and is a potential therapeutic target.
- Open Access
- 16 September 2024
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Supplementary Figures 1 from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
Supplementary Figures 1 from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
- 16 September 2024
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Open AccessSupplementary Figures 1 from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
Supplementary Figures 1 from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
- Open Access
- 16 September 2024
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Supplementary Data 1 from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
Supplementary material including methods, supplementary table 1, supplementary table 2, and supplementary table 3
- 16 September 2024
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Open AccessSupplementary Data 1 from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
Supplementary material including methods, supplementary table 1, supplementary table 2, and supplementary table 3
- Open Access
- 16 September 2024
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Supplementary Data 1 from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
Supplementary material including methods, supplementary table 1, supplementary table 2, and supplementary table 3
- 16 September 2024
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Open AccessSupplementary Data 1 from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
Supplementary material including methods, supplementary table 1, supplementary table 2, and supplementary table 3
- Open Access
- 16 September 2024
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Supplementary Figures 1 from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
Supplementary Figures 1 from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
- 16 September 2024
- Published by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Open AccessSupplementary Figures 1 from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
Supplementary Figures 1 from Spatial Immunoprofiling of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Reveals B7-H4 Is a Therapeutic Target for Aggressive Tumors
- Open Access
- 8 January 2024
- Published by Frontiers Media SA in Frontiers in Oncology
- Vol. 13, 1358498
Corrigendum: Lipid metabolism in tumor immunology and immunotherapy
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1187279.].
- 8 January 2024
- Published by Frontiers Media SA in Frontiers in Oncology
- Vol. 13, 1358498
Open AccessCorrigendum: Lipid metabolism in tumor immunology and immunotherapy
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1187279.].