Exploring how to enhance cancer treatment by improving immune cell metabolism
Official title: Defining mechanisms to promote antitumor immunity by modulating one-carbon metabolism
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-10991320 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special nutrient can help make cancer treatments work better by boosting the immune system's T cells, especially for patients receiving PD-1 therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $506,486 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276866-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991320 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that are currently treated with PD-1 blockade therapies and who may not be responding adequately to existing treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have tumors that express PD-1 or who are not candidates for immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how modifying one-carbon metabolism can boost the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy, specifically targeting the PD-1 pathway. The study aims to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that allow immune cells, particularly T cells, to function better in the tumor environment. By supplementing with formate, a compound that supports one-carbon metabolism, the researchers hope to enhance T cell activity and improve tumor clearance in patients receiving PD-1 blockade therapy. This approach is based on findings that show deficits in essential nutrients in tumors can limit immune responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that improve patient outcomes by enhancing the immune response against tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in enhancing immune responses through metabolic modulation, indicating potential for success with this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharpe, Arlene H. — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Sharpe, Arlene H.
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.