Deciphering how perforin helps T cells kill cancer through ferroptosis
Official title: Beyond Lysis: Deciphering the Role of Perforin-Mediated Ferroptosis in Anti-Tumor Immunity
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11579903 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how a T cell protein called perforin might trigger a special kind of cancer cell death called ferroptosis to boost anti-tumor immunity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 4R00CA299410-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11579903 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with cancers where CAR-T or immunotherapy is being explored and who can provide tumor samples or participate in future clinical studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to immunotherapy or whose tumors do not respond to perforin-related strategies may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will investigate how perforin increases iron inside tumor cells to induce ferroptosis and help T cells kill cancer. They will use genetic, drug, and dietary methods in lab and animal models to map the exact steps and key regulators. The work also includes analyzing patient data to see how perforin levels relate to responses to immunotherapy, and testing strategies to enhance perforin-driven ferroptosis in combination with CAR-T therapies. The goal is to translate these findings into therapies that make tumors more vulnerable to immune attack.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new cancer treatments that empower the immune system to more effectively kill tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest perforin can trigger ferroptosis, making this a promising but still emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bell, Hannah Noelle — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Bell, Hannah Noelle
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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.