How cancer cells use exosomes to evade the immune system
Official title: Mechanisms of Exosome Driven Immunoregulation of Cancer Progression
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-9869561 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cancer cells use tiny bubbles called exosomes to hide proteins that can keep your immune system from fighting the tumor, and by figuring this out, the researchers hope to help doctors understand why some people respond well to cancer treatments while others don’t, ultimately aiming to create more personalized and effective therapies for patients with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2019 |
| Award (this year) | $3,950,956 |
| NIH project number | 1U01CA244452-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-9869561 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients with various types of cancer who are undergoing or considering immunotherapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not involve immune checkpoint proteins or those who are not candidates for immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how cancer cells utilize exosomes to package immune checkpoint proteins, specifically PD-L1, which can suppress the immune response against tumors. By understanding the mechanisms behind this process, the research aims to identify why some patients respond to cancer immunotherapies while others do not. The team of experts will explore the role of exosomal PD-L1 in tumor progression and resistance to treatments, with the goal of personalizing cancer therapies based on individual patient responses. This could lead to more effective treatment strategies for patients with various types of cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cancer treatments that are tailored to individual patient needs, enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune checkpoint mechanisms, but this specific approach focusing on exosomal PD-L1 is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blelloch, Robert — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Blelloch, Robert
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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.