Combining immunotherapy with targeted therapies for better cancer treatment
Official title: PROJECT 1: TIME-Based Spatiotemporal Cancer Immunograms Predictive for Immunotherapy-Targeted Therapy Sequential Combinations
Funded at Institute for Systems Biology · NIH-10916306 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using a mix of immunotherapy and targeted treatments can help kids with cancer do better, especially by trying out a special combination called 'triplet therapy' to see if it can stop cancer from spreading to the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Institute for Systems Biology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $772,064 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA274509-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10916306 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children and young adults with specific types of melanoma or other cancers that may benefit from combination immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not respond to immunotherapy or those who are not eligible for targeted therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how combining immunotherapy with targeted therapies can improve treatment outcomes for various cancers, particularly in children. The approach focuses on a specific combination therapy known as 'triplet therapy,' which includes anti-PD-L1 and other targeted inhibitors. By analyzing the timing and sequence of these therapies, the research aims to enhance the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the risk of cancer spreading to the brain. The study utilizes advanced models to understand how these therapies interact within the tumor-immune microenvironment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that improve survival rates and quality of life for young patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar combination therapies, indicating potential for significant advancements in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Institute for Systems Biology
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heath, James R. — Institute for Systems Biology
- Study coordinator: Heath, James R.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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TIME-based immunograms to guide sequential cancer immunotherapy
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Using time-based cancer immunograms to improve immunotherapy treatments
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Timing-based immune maps to guide the order of immunotherapy and targeted cancer drugs
This work tests whether a short course of immunotherapy given before targeted cancer drugs helps people with cancers like BRAF‑mutant melanoma respond better.
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Combining targeted drugs and immunotherapy to fight breast cancer and brain metastases
This project combines targeted drugs with immunotherapy to help people with breast cancer, including those whose cancer has spread to the brain, respond better to treatment.
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Improving treatment response assessment for brain cancer using MRI and blood tests
This study is looking at how well immunotherapy and targeted therapy work for people with brain metastases by using special MRI scans and blood tests to find out if the treatment is helping or if the cancer is getting worse, all without needing any painful biopsies.
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.