Controlling T cell exhaustion in cancer treatment
Official title: Antigen-Presenting Cell Control of CD8+ T Cell Exhaustion in Cancer
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11072059 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special immune cells affect the tiredness of important cancer-fighting cells, called CD8+ T cells, and aims to find ways to help these T cells work better in fighting cancer, which could lead to better treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $542,252 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA272717-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11072059 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that exhibit T cell exhaustion and who are undergoing or considering immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers or those whose immune systems are not significantly affected may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain immune cells, called antigen-presenting cells, influence the exhaustion of CD8+ T cells, which are crucial for fighting cancer. The study focuses on understanding the mechanisms that lead to T cell dysfunction in the tumor environment and explores potential therapeutic interventions to revive these exhausted T cells. By analyzing the role of tumor-associated macrophages and their ability to present cancer antigens, the research aims to identify new strategies to enhance anti-cancer immunity. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to improved immunotherapy treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer immunotherapies that restore the function of exhausted T cells.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using immune checkpoint blockade therapies to revive exhausted T cells, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
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Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Ming — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Li, Ming
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.