How cancer cells avoid the immune system after treatment
Official title: Mechanisms of Macrophage-Mediated Immune Evasion in Residual Tumors
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11080753 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how some leftover cancer cells can hide from the immune system after treatment, using a special mouse model of melanoma, and it hopes to find new ways to help the immune system recognize and attack these sneaky cells to improve cancer treatment for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $42,759 |
| NIH project number | 5F30CA281085-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080753 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with BRAF, ALK, or KRAS mutant cancers who have residual tumor cells after initial treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without these specific mutations or those who do not have residual tumor cells may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how residual tumor cells, which survive cancer treatments, manage to evade the immune system. By studying a specific mouse model of melanoma, the researchers have identified that these cells use a mechanism involving the upregulation of a protein called CD47 to avoid being targeted by immune cells like macrophages. The study aims to understand these immune evasion strategies better and explore potential therapies that could block this process, potentially improving treatment outcomes for patients with certain types of cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer treatments by preventing tumor cells from escaping immune detection.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results with similar approaches targeting immune evasion mechanisms in cancer, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Raj, Jude — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Raj, Jude
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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.