Our laboratory is interested in studying interactions between tumors and the host immune system with a particular focus on harnessing the immune system towards early detection and prevention of cancer. Our clinical and preclinical studies are directed towards improving the understanding of biology and therapy of plasma cell dyscrasias such as multiple myeloma and its preneoplastic counterpart, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. We are also interested in asking more fundamental questions about the role of antigen presenting dendritic cells in regulating both innate and adaptive immunity to protein and lipid antigens in humans. The long term goal is to harness the immune regulatory properties of dendritic cells towards improved vaccines against tumors and induction of immune tolerance in autoimmune states.