How esophageal squamous cell cancer begins and reshapes the immune system
Official title: Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer Initiation and Immune Landscape Remodeling
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11228768 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are using lab-grown esophagus organ models and mouse experiments to learn how esophageal squamous cell cancer starts and how it changes immune cells, aiming to help people at risk for this cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | December 29, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $520,600 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA278971-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11228768 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for related future studies would be people with or at high risk for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or patients willing to donate tissue samples for research.
✕Less likely to help
People with other types of cancer unrelated to the esophagus or those seeking immediate treatment rather than contributing samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this laboratory-focused research.
What this research studies
Researchers grow tiny esophagus organoids in the lab and use CRISPR gene editing to recreate the key tumor suppressor losses seen in patients. They profile those organoids with single-cell RNA sequencing to find which cells become cancerous and how their gene programs change. Selected organoid-derived cells are then placed into immunocompetent mice to see which cells form tumors and how the immune environment is remodeled. The work aims to map early steps of cancer formation and the immune changes that accompany them so future tests or therapies can target those early events.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to markers for earlier detection and reveal immune-related targets to prevent or treat esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
How similar studies have gone: Organoid models and single-cell sequencing have helped reveal cancer biology in other tumor types, but applying these methods specifically to ESCC initiation and immune remodeling is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
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University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Park, Jae-Il — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Park, Jae-Il
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.