Blocking the phosphatidylserine–TAM receptor–PD-L1 immune-suppression pathway in solid tumors
Targeting a phosphatidylserine/TAM receptor/PD-L1 axis as a vulnerability in cancer
['FUNDING_R01'] · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11257293
This project tests whether blocking a tumor immune-suppression pathway involving phosphatidylserine, TAM receptors, and PD-L1 can help the immune system attack advanced solid cancers.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11257293 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You'd be asked to consider research that looks at how tumors use a signal called phosphatidylserine and receptors called TAMs, together with PD-L1, to turn off immune cells. Scientists will study this interaction using laboratory cell experiments, animal tumor models, and tumor or immune cell samples. They will try drugs or combinations that block these signals and measure whether immune cells become more active against tumors. The goal is to find approaches that could be combined with existing immunotherapies to improve cancer control.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with advanced solid tumors, particularly those whose cancers have not responded to current immunotherapies.
Not a fit: People with non-solid cancers (such as many blood cancers), patients without tumors that use this pathway, or those with unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make immunotherapies more effective and help the immune system clear solid tumors better.
How similar studies have performed: Related preclinical work targeting TAM receptors or PD-L1 has shown promise in lab and animal models, but clinical evidence for this exact combined targeting approach is still limited.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES — Newark, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BIRGE, RAYMOND B. — RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: BIRGE, RAYMOND B.
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.
Conditions: Advanced Cancer