Exploring immune responses in dogs and humans with bladder cancer
Official title: Advancing immunotherapy through cross species studies of immune cell responses and immune checkpoint inhibitor effects in dogs and humans with invasive urinary bladder cancer
Funded at Purdue University · NIH-10926920 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a type of cancer treatment called immune checkpoint inhibitors works for both dogs and humans with bladder cancer, hoping to find ways to make the treatment better for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $485,357 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA272280-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10926920 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with invasive urinary bladder cancer who may benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with bladder cancer who are not eligible for immune checkpoint inhibitors or have other unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) affect dogs and humans suffering from invasive urinary bladder cancer. By studying dogs with naturally-occurring bladder cancer, which closely resembles the human condition, the research aims to identify similarities and differences in immune cell responses and treatment outcomes. The findings could help improve the effectiveness of ICIs for human patients by using canine models to better predict responses and adverse effects. The study will involve comparing immune responses and treatment effects between dogs and humans to enhance our understanding of ICI therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients with invasive urinary bladder cancer through better-targeted immunotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using animal models to improve human cancer therapies, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Purdue University
West Lafayette, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knapp, Deborah W — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Knapp, Deborah W
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Cross-species study of immune responses to cancer immunotherapy in dogs and humans with invasive bladder cancer
A study using dogs with naturally occurring invasive bladder cancer to help improve immune checkpoint therapies for people with the same disease.
-
Improving immunotherapy for invasive bladder cancer using insights from dogs and people
This project compares immune responses and immunotherapy effects in people and pet dogs with invasive bladder cancer to find clues that could help more patients benefit from checkpoint drugs.
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Targeted Internal Radiation and Immune Therapy for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Aims to help people with early bladder cancer that doesn’t respond to current therapy by using a novel intravesical treatment that combines targeted radiation, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and oncolytic virus to trigger a strong anti-cancer response.
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Using mathematical models to improve immune therapy for bladder cancer
This study is exploring a new way to treat bladder cancer by using your own immune cells to fight the disease, and it aims to make the treatment more effective and easier on your body by giving smaller doses directly into the bladder.
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Boosting immune response to fight cancer
This study is exploring a new way to help your immune system better fight cancer by tweaking certain cells in your body, and it aims to improve treatment for people with advanced cancer.
-
A center focused on immunotherapy for pediatric cancers.
This study is exploring new ways to use the body's immune system to fight childhood cancers, aiming to create better treatments for kids whose cancers haven't responded well to standard therapies.
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.