Blocking GPR171 to help immune cells fight cancer
The GPR171 pathway in cancer immunotherapy
Researchers are looking at whether blocking a protein called GPR171 helps a patient’s immune cells attack tumors more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306588 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on a pathway called BigLEN/GPR171 that appears to slow down the T cells that can kill cancer. The team studies T cells in the lab and uses mouse tumor models to see if drugs that block GPR171 boost antitumor immune responses. They will measure GPR171 protein levels after antigen stimulation, test GPR171 antagonists in tumors, and explore links between GPR171 and cannabinoid signaling. Findings could point toward new drugs or ways to improve current immunotherapies for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with cancers treated by or resistant to immune checkpoint therapies (such as those receiving PD-1/CTLA-4–based treatments) would be the likely candidates for related future trials.
Not a fit: People with cancers that are unrelated to immune-driven tumor control or those ineligible for immunotherapy may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that make immune therapies work for more people and improve tumor control.
How similar studies have performed: Existing checkpoint drugs like PD-1 and CTLA-4 have proven benefit, and preliminary mouse studies reported here show blocking GPR171 can boost T cell antitumor activity, but GPR171 is a novel target without clinical trial evidence yet.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Yuwen — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Yuwen
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 below.