Biomarkers to predict and improve immunotherapy response in lung cancer
Official title: Novel Biomarkers for Predicting and Improving Immunotherapy Response in Lung Cancer
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-11434896 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to find gene-based markers that predict which NSCLC patients will benefit from immunotherapy and to uncover ways to make treatment work better for those who don’t respond.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $663,930 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA316647-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11434896 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with non-small cell lung cancer who are candidates for immunotherapy or have previously received it may be eligible for future translation or related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not pursuing immunotherapy or without NSCLC would not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers study gene activity in thousands of NSCLC patients receiving immunotherapy to identify a compact 11-gene signature that predicts response better than current tests. They discovered that a gene PMVK can suppress PD-L1, and turning PMVK off in lung cancer cells increased PD-L1 and enhanced immune killing when paired with PD-L1 inhibitors. The work combines tumor biology with immune interactions to uncover new combinations that could boost treatment success. The project uses animal models and related assays to explore mechanisms and translate findings toward better patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more accurate predictions of who will respond to immunotherapy and new strategies to help non-responders, potentially improving survival for NSCLC patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that gene-expression signatures can predict immunotherapy response with promising accuracy, and this project aims to build on that approach with a broader validation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deng, Youping — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Deng, Youping
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving immunotherapy for lung cancer
A team at Emory University is exploring ways to boost how well PD-1–targeted therapies work for people with non-small cell lung cancer.
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Targeting GARP-TGFβ to Improve Immunotherapy in NSCLC
A new antibody approach aims to block a key TGFβ-related pathway in the tumor environment to help people with non-small cell lung cancer respond better to therapy.
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Targeting DHX9 to boost viral-like immune response in Small Cell Lung Cancer
A scientist team is testing whether blocking a protein called DHX9 can make aggressive small cell lung cancer more visible to the immune system and more responsive to immunotherapy.
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Intratumoral microbiota and immune predictors of response to immunotherapy in lung cancer
A scientist team will study whether specific microbes inside lung tumors and immune cells can predict who will respond to immunotherapy in lung cancer.
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Harnessing Exercise to Improve Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer
A clinical study tests whether a structured exercise program can boost how well lung cancer patients respond to immunotherapy and reduce treatment-related side effects.
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Lung cancer immunotherapy with new CD4+ T cell receptor technology
A patient-focused cancer treatment project is testing a new type of engineered CD4+ T cells to help fight non-small cell lung cancer in people whose disease has progressed.
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.