Boosting immune cells and blocking suppressive signals in colon cancer that has spread to the liver
Official title: Stimulating Lymphocyte Activation Combined with Inhibition of Immunosuppressive Signals in Colon Cancer Metastases
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11251932 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to increase immune-cell activity inside colon tumors and block signals that shut those cells down for adults with colon cancer that has spread to the liver.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | January 22, 2020 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $346,461 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA238435-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251932 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with colon cancer, especially those with colorectal liver metastases and tumors that are resistant to existing immunotherapy, would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without colon cancer or without liver metastases, and patients who cannot receive surgery or immune-modulating therapies, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers plan to change the tumor environment so cytotoxic lymphocytes (killer immune cells) can enter and become active against tumor cells. They will combine approaches that drive lymphocyte proliferation and trafficking with immune checkpoint blockade (such as CTLA‑4 inhibitors) and selectively deliver a molecule called LIGHT into tumors. Experiments will use surgically removed human tumors, models of colorectal liver metastases, and human-derived samples to test which combinations produce strong anti-tumor responses. The aim is to identify strategies that could be translated into new treatment options for patients whose tumors do not respond to current immunotherapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new immune-based treatment combinations that shrink liver metastases from colon cancer and improve patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Checkpoint blockers have helped some colorectal cancers (mainly MSI-high tumors), but combining increased T-cell trafficking with CTLA‑4 blockade and local delivery of immunostimulatory LIGHT is a newer approach with promising preclinical results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maker, Ajay V. — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Maker, Ajay V.
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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.