Blocking the protein B7-H4 that helps bile duct cancer grow
Dissecting a novel tumor-promoting axis in cholangiocarcinoma
This research looks at whether blocking the protein B7-H4 can slow tumor growth in people with intrahepatic bile duct cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11168772 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer inside the liver) and why the protein B7-H4 is common in these tumors. Researchers will study patient tumor samples and use laboratory models and special mouse models where B7-H4 is removed to see how tumors and their surrounding scar-like tissue (desmoplasia) change. They will trace how B7-H4 works with the TGFβ pathway and the GARP receptor to activate signals that help tumors grow. The team aims to identify points where a drug or antibody could block this process and slow or shrink tumors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, especially those whose tumors show high levels of B7-H4 or who have advanced/metastatic disease.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not express B7-H4 or who have other types of bile duct cancer driven by different mechanisms may not benefit from therapies developed from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targeted treatments that slow tumor growth, reduce harmful tumor scarring, and potentially improve survival for people with intrahepatic bile duct cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Immune checkpoint drugs that target proteins like PD-1 have helped some cancers, but targeting B7-H4 is a newer approach with promising lab and animal results and limited human data so far.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sia, Daniela — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Sia, Daniela
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.