How cancer-related weight loss might change antibody recycling and affect anti–PD-1 therapy for lung cancer
Cachexia-mediated FcRn Modulation and Its Impact on Anti-PD1 Therapy in Lung Cancer
Researchers are checking whether cancer-related weight loss changes how the body handles antibody drugs and makes anti–PD-1 treatments work less well for people with lung cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141634 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work combines animal models and clinical data to study a protein called FcRn that helps recycle antibodies and albumin in immune cells. The team compares immune cell behavior and drug clearance in cachectic (weight-losing) versus non-cachectic tumor-bearing mice and analyzes pharmacology data from lung cancer patients on anti–PD-1 drugs. They will test whether changes in FcRn in myeloid cells explain higher antibody clearance and poorer responses, and probe the signaling that triggers those changes. Findings could point to markers or strategies to help patients with cancer-related weight loss get more benefit from immunotherapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with non-small cell lung cancer, especially those experiencing cancer-related weight loss (cachexia) or receiving anti–PD-1 immunotherapy, would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People without lung cancer, those not treated with antibody-based immunotherapy, or patients without signs of cachexia are unlikely to be directly affected by this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify patients with cachexia who are less likely to benefit from anti–PD-1 drugs and suggest ways to improve their response.
How similar studies have performed: Retrospective clinical data and mouse models have linked higher antibody clearance to poorer ICI responses, but the specific role of FcRn in cachexia is a novel and not yet proven idea.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phelps, Mitch a — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Phelps, Mitch 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.