Early detection of immunotherapy resistance with advanced imaging
Early identification of immunotherapy resistance through integrated multiparameter imaging
This project will use advanced imaging to find when cancer immunotherapy is stopping working so doctors can change treatment sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251645 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive non-invasive imaging scans that capture multiple signals in your tumor and blood to look for patterns linked to therapy failure. The researchers will connect those imaging patterns to inflammation signals (like IL-1α, G-CSF, CXCL1) and to neutrophil activity that can suppress T cell killing. They'll compare scans with blood tests and tumor samples to identify which resistance mechanisms are active. The idea is to spot resistance early so clinicians can try targeted strategies to overcome it.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with solid tumors who are receiving PD-1 or PD-L1 immune checkpoint therapy and are willing to undergo additional imaging and provide blood or tumor samples.
Not a fit: People not on checkpoint immunotherapy, those with cancers not treated with these drugs, or those unable to undergo imaging or sampling are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help doctors detect resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy earlier and guide treatments that improve outcomes while avoiding unnecessary side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Other imaging biomarkers have provided useful response information in immunotherapy, but targeting this specific inflammation-driven neutrophil resistance pathway with multiparameter imaging is relatively novel and unproven in patients so far.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anwar, Mekhail — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Anwar, Mekhail
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.