Antigen targets of tumor-fighting T cells in lung cancer
Official title: The antigen specificity of tumor-targeting T cells in non-small cell lung cancer
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11332630 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A physician-scientist training program focuses on how T cells recognize lung cancer antigens to guide future therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $277,857 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA270191-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332630 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with non-small cell lung cancer who may be eligible for future translational or clinical immunotherapy studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to specialized immunotherapy trials or those not suitable for T-cell–based approaches may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports a five-year training pathway for a physician-scientist to build skills in computational oncology and cancer immunology, with a focus on tumor-targeting T cells in non-small cell lung cancer. It pairs Dr. Mark Lee with mentors who are leaders in genomics and cancer immunology and provides access to premier research environments at Dana-Farber and the Broad Institute. The program aims to develop advanced expertise in how T cells identify specific cancer antigens, potentially informing personalized immunotherapies. The training will include didactic coursework, hands-on research experiences, and leadership development to prepare Dr. Lee for an independent academic career in translational cancer immunology. Patients with NSCLC could benefit from future therapies that better harness T cells to target tumor antigens.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could contribute to more precise and effective T-cell–based treatments for lung cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work in cancer immunology has shown that identifying tumor antigens can enable targeted T-cell therapies, with growing evidence supporting translational potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Mark N. — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Mark N.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.