In a new collaboration that could transform how cancer is treated, OCCAM Immune—a Mount Sinai initiative focused on understanding the immune system's role in disease—is partnering with the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) to unlock the secrets of how the immune system responds to advanced therapies.
Under the agreement, OCCAM Immune and CRI have established a long-term plan to support ongoing immune monitoring across CRI's clinical trials. The collaboration provides a flexible framework for launching new projects efficiently and will focus on tracking how patients' immune systems respond to treatment, with the goal of identifying which patients are most likely to benefit from certain immunotherapies and why.
The collaboration was sparked by Thomas Marron, MD, PhD , Director of the Early Phase Trial Unit at The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai and Chief Medical Officer of OCCAM Immune. Recognizing a shared vision between the two organizations, Dr. Marron brought Mount Sinai and CRI together to accelerate progress in immunotherapy, a treatment that helps the body's own immune system fight cancer.
"We're thrilled to team up with the Cancer Research Institute on this important work. CRI brings decades of experience in cancer immunotherapy and access to rich clinical trial samples from around the world," says Dr. Marron. "At OCCAM Immune, we're bringing powerful tools to analyze the immune system and the expertise to turn complex data into insights that matter to doctors, scientists, and, ultimately, patients. By working together, we aim to better understand how different therapies interact with the immune system and use that knowledge to make cancer care more personalized and effective."
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, but it doesn't work for everyone. OCCAM Immune is helping uncover why by mapping how the immune system responds to therapy—insights that can improve care not just for cancer, but for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases as well. By combining clinical expertise with advanced lab tools, OCCAM Immune supports researchers and companies worldwide in developing more precise, effective therapies.
OCCAM Immune operates in collaboration with Mount Sinai's robust medical and research ecosystem, led by pioneers including Miriam Merad, MD, PhD , whose work has shaped our understanding of how the immune system controls cancer. Dr. Merad is Dean for Translational Research and Therapeutic Innovation, Director of the Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute (PrIISM), and Chair of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Through PrIISM, OCCAM Immune offers partners access to rare clinical samples, cutting-edge analysis, and a proven track record of discovery.
"We are proud to partner with OCCAM Immune and Mount Sinai on this important effort to advance our understanding of how the immune system responds to cancer therapies," says Alicia Zhou, PhD, CRI's Chief Executive Officer. "OCCAM Immune's expertise in immune profiling and data interpretation, paired with CRI's network of immunotherapy trials, creates a powerful synergy. Together, we're not only accelerating the pace of discovery but also moving closer to a future where every patient receives the treatment most likely to be effective for them."
The collaborative work is set to begin with a clinical trial in women with ovarian cancer, where researchers will closely study immune cells and tumors from patients treated with novel drug combinations. The focus will be on platinum-resistant high-grade serous ovarian cancer, an aggressive type of ovarian cancer that often returns after treatment. OCCAM Immune scientists will analyze 160 blood samples and tumor biopsies using cutting-edge technologies like RNA/DNA sequencing and immune cell mapping. They aim to understand how the body responds to these treatments and identify markers that could help match future patients with the most effective therapies.
"This collaboration with the Cancer Research Institute marks an important step forward—not just for OCCAM Immune, but for the field of immunotherapy as a whole," says Dr. Merad. "It reflects growing recognition of our ability to generate and interpret high-quality immune data, which is essential as personalized medicine and AI-driven drug development continue to advance. We're delighted to partner with CRI and other leaders across academia, biotech, and pharma to accelerate discoveries that help unlock the full potential of the immune system and improve outcomes for patients."
OCCAM Immune
As an academic research organization within Mount Sinai, OCCAM Immune combines identifying unique biomarkers with deep expertise in profiling to monitor immune responses before and during therapy. OCCAM Immune bridges academic research and clinical practice by providing scientific insight, innovative tools, and tailored services to academic, non-profit and industry partners. Supporting research in immuno-oncology, allergy, autoimmunity, and infectious diseases, OCCAM Immune delivers actionable insights to optimize immunotherapy and improve clinical trial outcomes.
The Cancer Research Institute
The Cancer Research Institute (CRI) is a nonprofit founded in 1953, dedicated to advancing immunotherapy to treat, control, and cure all cancers. The CRI funds scientists worldwide to explore new avenues of discovery and develop lifesaving immunotherapies. Through its Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Trial Finder, CRI connects patients with cutting-edge clinical trials, providing them with potential new treatment options and contributing to the cancer research that will make immunotherapy a standard treatment for all cancers. By supporting innovative research and promoting clinical trials, CRI aims to create a world immune to cancer, offering hope and improved outcomes for patients globally.
The Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy
Established in June 2023, the Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai advances the institution's rich legacy of immunobiological research. With a focus on the fundamental mechanisms of immune cell function and development, the Department aims to drive innovation that deepens our understanding of immunity in health and disease.
The Tisch Cancer Institute
The Tisch Cancer Institute, a leading National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center , drives innovation in cancer prevention, research, and treatment through a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach. Established in 2008 and home to more than 150 leading scientists and physicians, the Institute builds on Mount Sinai's legacy to deliver clinical breakthroughs—such as advances in immunotherapy—that improve the lives of patients and their families.
About the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is internationally renowned for its outstanding research, educational, and clinical care programs. It is the sole academic partner for the seven member hospitals* of the Mount Sinai Health System, one of the largest academic health systems in the United States, providing care to New York City's large and diverse patient population.
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai offers highly competitive MD, PhD, MD-PhD, and master's degree programs, with enrollment of more than 1,200 students. It has the largest graduate medical education program in the country, with more than 2,600 clinical residents and fellows training throughout the Health System. Its Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers 13 degree-granting programs, conducts innovative basic and translational research, and trains more than 560 postdoctoral research fellows.
Ranked 11th nationwide in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is among the 99th percentile in research dollars per investigator according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. More than 4,500 scientists, educators, and clinicians work within and across dozens of academic departments and multidisciplinary institutes with an emphasis on translational research and therapeutics. Through Mount Sinai Innovation Partners (MSIP), the Health System facilitates the real-world application and commercialization of medical breakthroughs made at Mount Sinai.
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* Mount Sinai Health System member hospitals: The Mount Sinai Hospital; Mount Sinai Brooklyn; Mount Sinai Morningside; Mount Sinai Queens; Mount Sinai South Nassau; Mount Sinai West; and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.
