How PD-1 turns off T cells in cancer
Detection of PD-1 inhibitory signaling and its molecular relays in T cells: Implications for cancer immunotherapy
This project looks at a chemical tag on PD-1 that shows which T cells are being switched off in people with cancer to help improve immunotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249187 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use a new antibody that detects a phosphorylated form of PD-1 (pPD-1) to find T cells whose PD-1 pathway is active in mouse models and human samples. They study tumor biopsies and blood samples to see which T cells carry this marker and how those cells behave in the tumor microenvironment. In mice, the team deletes PD-1 specifically in regulatory T cells to learn how PD-1 in different T cell types affects tumor growth and immune signals. They also analyze changes in metabolism and signaling molecules made by affected T cells that could explain how PD-1 suppresses anti-tumor responses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with solid tumors who can provide tumor biopsy samples and blood, especially those treated at or referred to the Boston study site.
Not a fit: People without cancer or those seeking an experimental treatment rather than sample donation should not expect direct medical benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify markers to tell which T cells are shut down and point to new ways to refine or combine PD-1–based immunotherapy for better results.
How similar studies have performed: PD-1 blocking drugs have helped many patients, but using a pPD-1 antibody to mark active inhibitory signaling and deleting PD-1 in Treg cells is a novel, mainly preclinical approach with limited prior testing in patients.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boussiotis, Vassiliki a — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Boussiotis, Vassiliki 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.