Next Generation Head and Neck Cancer Treatments Beyond the Checkpoint Inhibitors

Please join us for a guest lecture by Dr. Leo Lei, an oral oncologist and immunologist, who will explore emerging advances in oral cancer prevention, precision early detection of high-risk oral potentially malignant disorders, and the evolving role of immunology in improving patient outcomes. Drawing on his clinical practice and translational research, Lei will discuss innovative approaches that are advancing the prevention, detection, and treatment of oral cancer.

About the speaker

Dr. Leo Lei is an associate professor of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Biology, and Translational Molecular Pathology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. An oral oncologist, immunologist, and entrepreneur, his work focuses on the immune sensing of head and neck cancers, precision early detection of high-risk oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), and engineering approaches to advance immunotherapy and immunoprevention.

Lei maintains a clinical practice in dental oncology and oral medicine while leading a multi-R01-funded translational research program spanning tumor immunology, head and neck cancer, high-risk OPMDs, immunometabolism, immunoprevention, and immune engineering. His research integrates laboratory discovery with clinical application to improve the prevention, early detection, and treatment of oral and head and neck cancers.