Immune landscape changes in KRAS‑mutant lung cancer during treatment

Project 1: Delta immune Ecology of NSCLC

NIH-funded research H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst · NIH-11178426

This project looks at how immune cells around KRAS‑mutant non‑small cell lung cancers change before and during treatment to help tailor better treatment combinations.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tampa, United States)
Project IDNIH-11178426 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

We will collect small tumor biopsies before treatment and again while patients are on therapy to see how immune and cancer cells change over time. Advanced multiplexed imaging will convert the biopsy slides into detailed cell maps, and computational pipelines will segment cells and local neighborhoods to analyze spatial patterns. Mathematical models, spatial statistics, and machine learning will be used to turn those patterns into spatiotemporal biomarkers that could guide when and how to combine targeted KRAS inhibitors with immunotherapy. The goal is to predict and prevent the common evolution of resistance that follows initial responses.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with non‑small cell lung cancer harboring KRAS mutations who can provide pre‑ and on‑treatment tumor biopsies and enroll in the associated clinical trial are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without KRAS‑mutant NSCLC, those with other cancer types, or patients unable to undergo biopsy procedures are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors choose better treatment combinations and timing to improve responses and delay resistance in KRAS‑mutant lung cancer patients.

How similar studies have performed: Prior work shows that immunotherapy benefits many NSCLC patients and that KRAS‑G12C inhibitors have clinical activity and can alter the tumor immune environment, but using spatial, time‑resolved biomarkers to guide combination therapy is a relatively new approach.

Where this research is happening

Tampa, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
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Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.