The New England Innocence Project - Proving Innocence through Science

Scientist Madhu Kumar's research on ctDNA has developed into invaluable cancer screening technologies in recent years. Alongside his scientific research, Madhu Kumar volunteers his time with the New England Innocence Project.

The New England Innocence Project is a network of attorneys and other legal professionals who work to exonerate people who have wrongly been convicted of a crime. They take pro bono cases in six New England states and help individuals with strong cases regain their freedom.

A large portion of the organization's work deals with DNA evidence, a rapidly growing technology. DNA testing has only been available since the mid-1980s, and has improved dramatically since then. Modern science can identify people by tiny traces of biological material.

The New England Innocence Project helps wrongly convicted individuals get DNA testing that sometimes exonerates them. Some of the people they work with have been in prison for a decade or more, meaning that these technologies were unavailable at the time of their conviction. By applying new technology to old cases, the New England Innocence Project has helped dozens of innocent people walk out of prison.

The New England Innocence Project in Boston

Scientific consultant and advisor Dr. Madhu Kumar, whose professional interests include molecular diagnostics, circulating cell-free DNA, and targeted cancer therapy, most recently served as a scientific advisor for Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati. Dr. Madhu Kumar gives back in his spare time by volunteering, dedicating his time as a mentor with the New England Innocence Project (NEIP), a nonprofit organization based in Boston which offers a legal internship program.

The New England Innocence Project’s full-time legal internship attracts students from many of the nearby institutions of legal learning, and the organization tasks them, along with its experienced collection of in-house legal professionals, to aid in the exonerations of innocent individuals in New England.

In September 2016, the company will host A Night Out with NEIP in conjunction with the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, where they will present awards to individuals with exceptional commitment to the organization’s cause. For more information about the NEIP, including opportunities for volunteering, visit www.newenglandinnocence.org.

Immunotherapy is a Helpful Tool in Fighting Cancer

An experienced biologist in White Plains, New York, Madhu Kumar has had many opportunities to contribute to cancer research. As a cancer researcher, Madhu Kumar has been significantly involved with studies involving immunotherapy for patients.

Immunotherapy aims to utilize a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer. Also called biotherapy or biologic therapy, immunotherapy can either be used on its own or in conjunction with other cancer treatments. Currently, certain types of cancer respond to this treatment better than others.

There are four common types of immunotherapy. First, monoclonal antibodies(MAbs) are man-made versions of proteins found in the immune system. These antibodies are designed to bind to and attack specific parts of cancer cells.

Immune checkpoint inhibiters are drugs that are designed to take the brakes off of the immune system, essentially allowing the body’s immune system to kill off harmful cancer cells.

Cancer vaccines are another immune-related treatment option. These treatments contain cancer-associated antigens and are meant to enhance the immune system’s response to tumor cells.

Finally, non-specific immunotherapies are often used concurrently with other treatment options. They are intended to give the entire immune system a boost, making it more effective as it fights cancer cells.

Side effects to immunotherapies can include pain, swelling, soreness, redness, or itchiness at the injection site. Sometimes, a patient may experience flu-like symptoms or a serious allergic reaction.