How lymph node metastasis affects the body's immune response to tumors
Official title: The influence of lymph node metastasis on local and systemic anti-tumor immunity
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-10996877 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cancer spreading to lymph nodes affects the body's immune response, especially in people with melanoma and other solid tumors, to find new ways to boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $41,614 |
| NIH project number | 1F30CA288142-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996877 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with melanoma or other solid tumors that have lymph node metastasis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage tumors that have not spread to lymph nodes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of lymph node metastasis in melanoma and other solid tumors, focusing on how it influences both local and systemic anti-tumor immunity. The study aims to understand the mechanisms by which lymph nodes, previously thought to be passive in metastasis, may actually contribute to immune suppression that allows cancer to spread. By utilizing advanced techniques like single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, researchers will create a detailed map of lymph node changes during metastasis. This could lead to new insights into how to enhance immune responses in patients with intact tumor-draining lymph nodes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies that enhance the immune system's ability to fight tumors in patients with lymph node metastasis.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses in cancer, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ventre, Katherine — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Ventre, Katherine
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Lymph node metastasis and immune tolerance in head and neck cancer
A study in people with head and neck cancer looks at how cancer spread to lymph nodes may shape the immune system and help tumors grow.
-
A smarter radiomics tool to predict lymph node cancer spread for targeted neck cancer radiation
A new radiomics model uses imaging data to predict which cervical lymph nodes are cancerous so doctors can tailor radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
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Better Radiation Planning for Head and Neck Cancer
This work aims to use advanced imaging to accurately find cancer in lymph nodes for people with head and neck cancer, helping doctors target radiation more precisely.
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A model to predict lymph node cancer spread for targeted radiation therapy
This study is looking to develop a smart tool that uses special imaging to figure out if lymph nodes in the neck have cancer, so that only the ones that really need treatment get targeted radiation, helping to avoid unnecessary side effects for patients.
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Targeting how RMS cells fail to mature to slow or stop pediatric muscle cancer spread
A project to understand why a pediatric muscle cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma spreads, and to test ideas that could slow or stop it by helping cancer cells mature properly.
-
Centers studying how cancer spreads through the body
A multi-institutional project at Rockefeller University is exploring how nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, immune cells, and metabolites influence the spread of cancer to help identify new ways to stop metastasis.
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.