How neutrophils help or harm people getting T‑cell cancer treatments
Determining the role of neutrophils in anti-tumor immunity and immune-related adverse events in the context of T cell-based therapies
This research aims to find how neutrophils (a common white blood cell) influence tumor killing and treatment side effects in people receiving T‑cell immunotherapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11304560 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you were affected, researchers would use mouse tumor models and lab tests to track how neutrophils change after T‑cell therapies and whether they help kill tumors or cause treatment side effects. They will map the genes and tumor signals that define different neutrophil types and test ways to shift neutrophils toward tumor‑killing behavior while avoiding immune toxicities. The team will compare lab findings to patterns seen in human cancers such as melanoma to connect the laboratory work to patient experiences. The goal is to point to combination approaches that might make T‑cell therapies safer and more effective for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with solid tumors who are receiving or may be eligible for T‑cell–based immunotherapies (for example melanoma or other cancers treated with T‑cell approaches) are the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People not receiving T‑cell immunotherapies or those with cancers unlikely to be treated by T‑cell approaches may not see direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal ways to boost cancer-killing responses while reducing immune-related side effects from T‑cell therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show neutrophils can either help or hinder immunotherapy, but deliberately redirecting neutrophils to boost tumor control while preventing immune toxicities is largely novel and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Merghoub, Taha — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Merghoub, Taha
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.