How immune cell metabolism helps the body fight cancer
Integrating systems immunology with immunometabolism and cancer immunity
Researchers are looking at how the way immune cells use energy influences their ability to attack tumors to help improve cancer treatments for people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160438 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research program studies how the metabolic state of immune cells controls their behavior in tumors by combining lab experiments, genetic CRISPR-based screens, and large-scale computational network analyses. The team maps metabolic differences in T cells and other immune cells within tumor environments and tests how nutrient and autophagy signals change immune function. They use both targeted hypothesis-driven experiments and systems immunology approaches to find pathways that could be targeted. The goal is to identify new ways to boost anti-tumor immunity or make existing immunotherapies work better.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancer—especially those with solid tumors or who are receiving or considering immunotherapy—or patients willing to donate tumor or blood samples for research would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People without cancer or whose cancers are driven entirely by non-immune mechanisms may not see direct benefit from this work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new ways to strengthen immune cells against tumors or to improve current immunotherapies for cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous immunometabolism studies have uncovered important principles and suggested therapeutic directions, but translating those findings into new cancer treatments is still an active and developing area.
Where this research is happening
Memphis, United States
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital — Memphis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chi, Hongbo — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Chi, Hongbo
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.