How Sirt6 controls T cells' energy use and cancer-fighting power
Epigenetic Regulation of T Cell Metabolism and Immune Functions by Sirt6
['FUNDING_R21'] · MAYO CLINIC JACKSONVILLE · NIH-11249202
This project tests whether blocking a protein called Sirt6 can boost T cells' energy and help cancer immunotherapies work better for people with tumors.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MAYO CLINIC JACKSONVILLE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (JACKSONVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11249202 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how Sirt6, a protein that changes gene activity, controls the fuel use of T cells that fight cancer. They will use mouse tumor models and lab-grown T cells to see how altering Sirt6 affects genes that drive glycolysis and T cell effector functions. The team will test whether blocking Sirt6 increases T cell metabolic fitness and improves their ability to attack tumors within the nutrient-poor tumor microenvironment. Results could point toward new ways to strengthen immunotherapy for patients whose T cells are metabolically suppressed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with solid tumors—particularly those not responding to current immunotherapies—would be the most likely candidates for future therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: Because this is preclinical research, it will not provide immediate treatment benefits and patients whose cancers are not driven by T cell responses may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that make patients' T cells more metabolically fit and improve responses to cancer immunotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: Modulating T cell metabolism has improved anti-tumor responses in prior animal studies, while targeting Sirt6 specifically is a relatively new and less-tested strategy.
Where this research is happening
JACKSONVILLE, UNITED STATES
- MAYO CLINIC JACKSONVILLE — JACKSONVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HAMAIDI, IMENE — MAYO CLINIC JACKSONVILLE
- Study coordinator: HAMAIDI, IMENE
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.
Conditions: Cancer Patient, Cancer Treatment