Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most widely diagnosed type of lung cancer. Together with mesothelioma (cancer associated with asbestos exposure), NSCLC can result in the formation of malignant pleural effusions (MPE)-a build-up of fluids and cancer cells between the chest wall and the lung. The MPE tumor microenvironment is known to negatively affect immune T cell proliferation and function, resulting in failure of current immunotherapies and low median survival rates. Dr. Vinogradova and Dr. Vardhana are using robust in vitro and in vivo models of T cell dysfunction to understand the molecular mechanisms by which the lung tumor microenvironment suppresses anti-tumor T cell responses, with the goal of developing novel strategies to restore T cell function in these high-risk patients.