Improving immune function in solid tumors by altering fat metabolism
Official title: Manipulating Lipid Metabolism to Reverse Immune Dysfunction in Solid Cancers
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11045948 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how fat metabolism affects the immune system in cancer patients, specifically how a certain enzyme helps immune cells use fats for energy, with the hope of finding new ways to make these cells stronger in fighting cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | December 3, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $496,391 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA288976-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045948 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with solid tumors, particularly those undergoing immunotherapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-solid tumors or those not receiving immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the metabolism of lipids affects the immune response in patients with solid tumors. It focuses on understanding the role of a specific enzyme, Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, which influences how immune cells called CD8+ T cells utilize fats for energy. By employing advanced techniques like RNA sequencing and lipid analysis, the study aims to identify ways to enhance the energy production of these immune cells, potentially improving their ability to fight cancer. The ultimate goal is to develop new strategies that can be integrated into existing cancer immunotherapies to boost their effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments by enhancing the immune system's ability to target and destroy tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in manipulating metabolic pathways to enhance immune responses in cancer, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thaxton, Jessica E — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Thaxton, Jessica 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.