Boosting the body's fight against cancer by helping blood vessels
Targeting the vasculature to enhance anti-tumor immunity
This research explores how changing the blood vessels within tumors can help the body's immune system better fight cancer, especially when combined with existing treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11241275 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies have immune cells that can fight cancer, but sometimes tumor blood vessels act like barriers, preventing these helpful cells from getting where they need to go. This makes certain cancer treatments, like immunotherapy, less effective. We are exploring a new way to 'reprogram' these blood vessels by targeting a specific gene, making them more welcoming to immune cells. Early findings suggest this could help shrink tumors and stop cancer from spreading, especially when combined with current immunotherapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is foundational, but future clinical applications would likely target patients with solid tumors, particularly melanoma, who may not fully respond to current immunotherapies.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not rely on the specific blood vessel mechanisms being studied, or those who respond well to existing treatments, may not directly benefit from this particular approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make current immunotherapies more effective for patients with various cancers, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes and longer survival.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific epigenetic reprogramming of tumor vasculature is a novel approach, the concept of combining vascular targeting with immunotherapy has been explored in other contexts with varying success.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dudley, Andrew Carl — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Dudley, Andrew Carl
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.