Improving cancer treatment by reprogramming immune cells
Official title: Enhancing the Effectiveness of Immunotherapies by T Cell Epigenetic Reprogramming
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11088300 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to make cancer treatments work better by understanding how T cells, which help fight cancer, can get tired and how we can help them bounce back so they can attack tumors more effectively, aiming to find new ways to improve treatment for people with cancer and chronic viral infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 5, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $640,056 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI170926-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11088300 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancer or chronic viral infections who have not responded well to current immunotherapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancer or those who have not yet undergone immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies by focusing on T cells, which are crucial for fighting cancer. It aims to understand the changes that occur in T cells when they become exhausted and how these changes can be reversed to restore their ability to attack tumors. By exploring the epigenetic programming of T cells, the researchers hope to identify new strategies to improve patient responses to existing therapies. This work could lead to more effective treatments for patients with cancer and chronic viral infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved immunotherapy outcomes for cancer patients, potentially increasing their chances of recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in enhancing T cell function through epigenetic modifications, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghoneim, Hazem E. — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Ghoneim, Hazem E.
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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.