Exploring how freezing liver tumors affects the immune response in cancer treatment
Official title: Modulating the immuno-metabolic interplay in liver cancer with cryoablation
Funded at Yale University · NIH-10809723 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how freezing tumors in liver cancer patients affects their immune system and how this might help doctors figure out who will respond best to immunotherapy, with the goal of finding better treatment options for those with advanced liver cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $220,198 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA274152-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10809723 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, especially those at intermediate or advanced stages.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage liver cancer or those not eligible for cryoablation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of cryoablation, a technique that freezes tumors, on the immune response in liver cancer patients. It aims to understand how changes in tumor acidity and immune cell presence can predict responses to immunotherapy. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study will measure tumor acidity and immune cell density to identify which patients may benefit from immunotherapy. The findings could lead to improved treatment strategies for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly those diagnosed at advanced stages.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy for liver cancer patients, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using immunotherapy for other cancers, but this specific approach in liver cancer is novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coman, Daniel — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Coman, Daniel
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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.