How sex hormones affect cancer immunotherapy outcomes
Biology of the Hormonal Regulation of Cancer and Immuno Oncology Outcomes Research Proposal.
This project looks at how estrogen and androgens change immune responses to checkpoint immunotherapy for people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P30 center grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11347874 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would hear that researchers are building a set of studies to understand how hormone receptors affect immune cells in the skin and gut during cancer immunotherapy. They will combine patient samples, population data, computational biology, and lab work to link hormone signals with immune-related side effects and with treatment non-response. The team includes clinicians from multiple specialties and scientists who will connect bedside observations to laboratory tests. Together they aim to create a framework to guide future studies that could predict or prevent toxicities and improve therapy benefit.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with cancer who are receiving or have received immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, especially those who had immune-related side effects or did not respond.
Not a fit: People without cancer or those not treated with checkpoint immunotherapy are unlikely to be included or to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help predict who will benefit from checkpoint inhibitors and reduce immune-related side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Early studies have suggested sex hormones influence immunotherapy response and toxicities, but the mechanisms are still novel and not well understood.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coussens, Lisa M — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Coussens, Lisa M
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.