How immune 'brakes' PD-1/PD-L1 and TIGIT affect immune balance in the brain
Project 3: Role of Coinhibitory receptors in regulating Immune Tolerance in the Human Brain
['FUNDING_P01'] · YALE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11332004
It examines how the PD‑1/PD‑L1 and TIGIT immune pathways change brain immune cells to help people with brain tumors and autoimmune brain inflammation.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_P01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | YALE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11332004 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project uses tumor tissue, blood samples, laboratory models, and single-cell genetic analyses to study how PD‑1/PD‑L1 and TIGIT control regulatory T cells and myeloid cells in the human brain. Researchers analyze individual cells and T‑cell receptor sequences from glioblastoma patients treated with PD‑1 blockers alone or with PD‑1 plus TIGIT antibodies to see how treatments change immune behavior. In lab models they test whether activating TIGIT can control harmful immune responses caused by PD‑1 blockade and whether blocking TIGIT affects tumor control or inflammation. The goal is to find ways to prevent or treat immune-related brain inflammation and improve the safety of cancer immunotherapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with glioblastoma receiving PD‑1 immunotherapy and patients who develop autoimmune brain inflammation after such treatments would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People whose conditions are unrelated to PD‑1/TIGIT pathways or who do not have brain tumors or immune-related brain inflammation are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify targets like TIGIT to prevent or treat immune-related brain inflammation and make PD‑1 cancer treatments safer.
How similar studies have performed: PD‑1 blockade has been successful in some cancers, but combining PD‑1 and TIGIT targeting is relatively new and still being explored in preclinical and early human studies.
Where this research is happening
NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES
- YALE UNIVERSITY — NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HAFLER, DAVID A. — YALE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: HAFLER, DAVID 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.
Conditions: Autoimmune Diseases