Helping immune cells better destroy KRAS‑mutant cancers
KRAS inhibitors prime cancer cells for macrophage-mediated destruction
Researchers are combining KRAS‑blocking drugs with anti‑CD47 antibodies to help immune cells called macrophages more effectively kill KRAS‑mutant tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11406829 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
About one in five cancers has a KRAS mutation that drives tumor growth, and new drugs can block that signal but usually don’t cure the disease. The team plans to combine KRAS inhibitors with anti‑CD47 antibodies, which remove a cancer 'don't eat me' signal and can activate macrophages to destroy tumor cells. In the lab they will use a novel co‑culture assay that grows cancer cells with macrophages to see if the drug combination causes stronger macrophage‑mediated killing. The ultimate aim is to translate promising lab results into therapies that might improve outcomes for people with KRAS‑mutant cancers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with cancers driven by KRAS mutations, especially those already receiving or eligible for KRAS‑targeted drugs.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not have KRAS mutations, or who cannot tolerate the drugs or antibody therapies, are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make KRAS‑mutant tumors more likely to be eliminated by the immune system and improve cure rates when combined with existing KRAS inhibitors.
How similar studies have performed: KRAS inhibitors have extended patients' lives and anti‑CD47 antibodies have shown promise in activating macrophages, but combining the two to achieve cures is a novel approach still largely untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiskopf, Kipp a — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Weiskopf, Kipp a
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.