Boosting cancer-fighting T cells with a short cellular stress
Dissecting the Mechanism for Transient ER Stress-Induced Anti-Tumor T Cell Response
This work tests whether a brief, controlled stress can make T cells better at fighting cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238995 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using mouse models and engineered T cells to see if a short exposure to carbon monoxide triggers a mild endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress that strengthens T cells. They track which T cells enter autophagy using a dual fluorescent reporter and compare mitochondrial health and tumor control between those cells. The team looks at melanoma-specific T cells and studies molecular switches like PERK to understand how this stress improves function. The ultimate aim is to find ways to make adoptive T cell therapies, including CAR-T approaches, more effective.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers that are treated with T cell or CAR-T therapies, such as certain melanomas or patients eligible for adoptive cell transfer, would be the most relevant candidates for future translation.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers not addressable by T cell therapies or anyone seeking an immediate treatment benefit should not expect direct benefit now, since the work is preclinical.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to stronger and longer-lasting T cell therapies that control tumors more effectively.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show that changing T cell mitochondrial function can improve immunotherapy, but using brief ER stress via carbon monoxide to trigger autophagy is a newer, preclinical approach with promising early mouse data.
Where this research is happening
Charleston, United States
- Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mehrotra, Shikhar — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Mehrotra, Shikhar
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.