Cancer Immunology / Immunotherapy · Translational Therapeutics

PANAAMPON-OKADA’s
LAB

From immune mechanisms to cancer cures.

We investigate how immune cells recognize, engage, and eliminate cancer, and translate those mechanisms into new therapeutic strategies for difficult-to-treat malignancies. Our lab integrates complete 2D and 3D in vitro systems with in vivo platforms, particularly patient-derived mouse models, humanized mouse models, and transgenic mouse models, to connect mechanism with clinically relevant translation. The lab is also developing a novel breakthrough TIGER immunotherapeutic platform.

Research

Engineering immunity against cancer.

Our work bridges fundamental immunobiology and translational oncology, with an emphasis on cytotoxic immunity, tumor–immune interactions, therapeutic resistance, and clinically actionable combination strategies.

01 · Cytotoxic Immunity

NK cells, γδ T cells, cytotoxic CD4 T cells (CD4CTLs), macrophages & neutrophils · Biology / Immunology

Defining the mechanisms that control immune recognition, activation, persistence, immune-cell crosstalk, and tumor-cell killing.

02 · Resistance

Overcoming therapeutic escape

Understanding intrinsic and acquired resistance to targeted and immune therapies, including Fc-dependent anti-tumor responses.

03 · Translation

Translational CD4CTL and next-generation immunotherapy

Advancing CD4CTL translation from mechanistic discovery toward clinically relevant development, supported by 2D and 3D in vitro systems, patient-derived mouse models, humanized mouse models, transgenic mouse models, organoids, spatial biology, and high-dimensional immune profiling.

Disease Programs

Mechanism first. Translation always in view.

Difficult-to-Treat Hematologic Malignancies

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), multiple myeloma (MM), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), B-cell leukemias/lymphomas, and childhood cancers with a particular interest in pediatric hematologic malignancies, leveraging cytotoxic lymphocytes, antibody immunotherapy and translational models.

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)

Exploring tumor vulnerabilities, immune-cell therapy and rational combinations for an immunologically difficult-to-treat solid tumor.

Colorectal Cancer (CRC)

Immune-mediated strategies to overcome resistance to EGFR-targeted therapy, including Fc-dependent cytotoxicity and next-generation immune combinations.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Building translational and patient-derived tumor models to study metastatic disease, immune escape and therapeutic response.

Principal Investigators

Two perspectives. One translational mission.

PANAAMPON-OKADA’s LAB is based in the Department of Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. The laboratory brings together cancer immunology/immunotherapy, translational therapeutics, advanced mouse modeling, and clinically oriented platform development.

Jutatip Panaampon, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator

Jutatip Panaampon, Ph.D.

Department of Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

Jutatip Panaampon, Ph.D., received her B.Sc. in Microbiology from Prince of Songkla University, her M.Sc. in Microbiology from the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, and her Ph.D. in Medical Science from Kumamoto University, Japan. She completed approximately two years of postdoctoral training at Kumamoto University, followed by five years at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School in the United States. She also holds a Visiting Assistant Professor appointment at Kumamoto University, Japan. Her training spans cancer immunotherapy, NK and T cell biology, antibody-mediated cytotoxicity, patient-derived xenograft and humanized mouse models, and translational cell-therapy development. Her experience connects mechanistic immunobiology with preclinical modeling and technical translation toward cGMP manufacturing. She is now building an independent program in Thailand as part of a new generation of globally trained young PIs, with the goal of establishing world-class cancer immunology/immunotherapy and translational therapeutics platforms in Thailand and contributing discoveries with international impact.

Cancer Immunology / ImmunotherapyCytotoxic CD4 T cells (CD4CTLs)NK Cellsγδ T CellsMacrophagesNeutrophilsTranslational OncologyTumor Microenvironment

Beyond the Lab

Outside the lab, Jutatip (Mai) enjoys cooking, playing guitar, listening to classical music, drawing, and exploring art and embroidery.

Prof. Seiji Okada, M.D., Ph.D.
Principal Investigator

Prof. Seiji Okada, M.D., Ph.D.

Division of Hematopoiesis, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Japan

Seiji Okada, M.D., Ph.D., is Professor in the Division of Hematopoiesis, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Japan. His research spans hematologic malignancies, immunology, humanized and highly immunodeficient mouse models, patient-derived xenograft models, and transgenic mouse systems for preclinical evaluation. His expertise in advanced in vivo modeling and translational oncology provides a complementary foundation for the laboratory’s immunotherapy and therapeutic-development programs.

Humanized MicePDX ModelsTransgenic Mouse ModelsHematologic MalignanciesImmunodeficient Mouse ModelsTranslational Oncology

Beyond the Lab

Outside the lab, Prof. Okada enjoys swimming and classical music.

Our Team

Postdoctoral Fellows

Portrait of Prin Sungwan
Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Prin Sungwan

PANAAMPON-OKADA’s LAB · Cancer Immunology / Immunotherapy

Dr. Prin Sungwan completed his Ph.D. in Medical Sciences at Kumamoto University, Japan. His research focuses on antibody-based cancer immunotherapy, NK-cell engagers, HER2-targeted therapeutics, and preclinical models of hematologic malignancies and cholangiocarcinoma.

Education: Ph.D. in Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Japan; M.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences and B.Sc. in Biology, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.

Antibody ImmunotherapyNK Cell EngagersHER2-targeted TherapyTranslational Models

Beyond the Lab

Outside the lab, Prin is passionate about Japanese culture, traditional samurai swords, and sword polishing.

Selected Work

Publications

Together, we study cancer immunology, antibody therapeutics, cytotoxic immunity, tumor models, and translational oncology.

Exclusion of the commonest subtype of B-cell leukemia in children acquiring EBV infection in early life.
medRxiv · 2026
Constitutive DUSP2 expression enhances lymphoid cell proliferation by activating CDK1 and promotes lymphomagenesis.
Cell Reports · 2026
Transgenic expression of human signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) in BALB/c Rag2-null/Jak3-null immunodeficient mice improves human lymphoma xenograft via reduction of phagocytosis.
Transgenic Research · 2026
Elotuzumab enhances the anti-tumor activity of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells against primary effusion lymphoma.
European Journal of Pharmacology · 2026
Trastuzumab, a monoclonal anti-HER2 antibody modulates cytotoxicity against cholangiocarcinoma via multiple mechanisms.
International Immunopharmacology · 2024
Promising immunotherapeutic approaches for primary effusion lymphoma.
Exploration of Targeted Anti-tumor Therapy · 2024 · Review
Magnetic nanoparticles: An emerging nanomedicine for cancer immunotherapy.
Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science · 2024
Metformin as a booster of cancer immunotherapy.
International Immunopharmacology · 2023 · Review
Does delayed EBV infection contribute to rising childhood cancers?
Trends in Immunology · 2022 · Review / Perspective
Elotuzumab, a potential therapeutic humanized anti-SLAMF7 monoclonal antibody, enhances natural killer cell-mediated killing of primary effusion lymphoma cells.
Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy · 2022
Efficacy and mechanism of the anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody Daratumumab against primary effusion lymphoma.
Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy · 2021
Establishment of nude mice lacking NK cells and their application for human tumor xenografts.
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention · 2021
View all publications on PubMed
Global Network

International Collaborations

Building cross-border partnerships to accelerate discovery and translation in cancer immunology.

🇺🇸 United States🇯🇵 Japan🇩🇪 Germany🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇰🇷 South Korea
United States

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute · Harvard Medical School

Selected collaborators: Jerome Ritz, M.D.; Margaret A. Shipp, M.D.
CD4 CTLs, B-cell malignancies, lymphoma biology, cell therapy and translational immunotherapy.

Join Us

Curious minds are welcome.

We welcome highly motivated students, postdoctoral fellows, trainees, collaborators, and scientists who share our ambition for rigorous, high-expectation science. Our goal is to establish world-class cancer immunology/immunotherapy and translational therapeutics platforms in Thailand, generate discoveries with global impact, and train scientists who are ready to push beyond conventional boundaries.

Selected trainees may have opportunities for collaborative research visits or placements through our international network at Kumamoto University and Harvard Medical School affiliated institutions, particularly Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital. Opportunities depend on project fit, host-lab availability, funding, and institutional approval.

Work with us
Contact

PANAAMPON-OKADA’s LAB

Department of Research Affairs
Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University
Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Email: jutatip.pa@chula.ac.th