How T cells control their metabolism during radiotherapy
Official title: T cell-intrinsic metabolic control of radiotherapy
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11018580 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a type of immune cell called T cells changes its energy use when treated with radiotherapy, with the goal of finding better ways to help cancer patients, especially those whose tumors don't respond well to standard treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $419,461 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279849-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018580 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing radiotherapy for cancer who may benefit from enhanced immune responses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with tumors that do not respond to radiotherapy or have other underlying conditions that preclude effective immune responses may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how T cells, a type of immune cell, manage their metabolism when exposed to radiotherapy. It aims to understand the mechanisms that enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy in fighting tumors, particularly in cases where tumors resist traditional immune checkpoint therapies. By studying the interaction between radiotherapy and T cell metabolism, the research seeks to identify new strategies to improve cancer treatment outcomes. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more effective therapies that harness the immune system's power against cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cancer treatments that enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy by optimizing T cell responses.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in enhancing cancer treatment by combining radiotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, indicating that this approach has potential.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shi, Lewis Zhichang — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Shi, Lewis Zhichang
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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.