Blocking adenosine to help the immune system fight liver cancer
Official title: Targeting the immunosuppressive adenosine-axis to overcome T-cell γc cytokine signaling blockade and enhance antitumor immunity in hepatocellular carcinoma
Funded at University of Texas El Paso · NIH-11234768 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether stopping adenosine signals can help immune cells better attack advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas El Paso NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (El Paso, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 1998 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $378,246 |
| NIH project number | 2U54MD007592-31A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11234768 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are people with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly those whose tumors show high adenosine-pathway markers or who have limited benefit from current immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
People with cancers other than liver cancer or those with early-stage HCC not needing systemic treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
If you have advanced liver cancer, this project aims to stop a chemical called adenosine that helps tumors hide from immune cells. Researchers will analyze patient tumor samples and immune cells to see how adenosine and its receptors (like CD73 and A2AR) block T-cell signals needed to kill cancer. They will test drugs and combinations that block the adenosine pathway in laboratory models and use gene and immune profiling from patient tissues to identify who might benefit. The goal is to pair adenosine-blocking approaches with existing immunotherapies so patients' immune systems can attack tumors more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could increase the effectiveness of immunotherapy and improve outcomes for people with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies and some early clinical work targeting the adenosine pathway have shown promise, but clinical evidence is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas El Paso
El Paso, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qin, Yong — University of Texas El Paso
- Study coordinator: Qin, Yong
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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.