Improving immune treatments for cancers that have spread to the brain
Optimizing systemic immunotherapy for personalized brain metastasis treatment
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · NIH-11174237
Researchers will try blocking a molecule called TGF-β in lymph nodes to help immune therapies work better for people whose cancer has spread to the brain.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | STANFORD UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (STANFORD, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11174237 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project focuses on brain metastases, where cancer spreads to the brain and weakens the body's immune response. Researchers will study tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) that produce TGF-β and track how these cells move between brain tumors and the tumor-draining lymph nodes. Using lab models and patient-derived samples, they will block TGF-β at the lymph nodes to see if that restores T cell priming and improves responses to checkpoint inhibitors or vaccine approaches like iPSC-based vaccines. Results could guide new combination therapies to make existing immunotherapies more effective for people with brain metastases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults whose cancer has spread to the brain, especially those being considered for immunotherapy or willing to provide tissue or blood samples, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that have not spread to the brain, those in poor overall health who cannot receive immunotherapy, or those whose tumors do not rely on TGF-β–driven immunosuppression may not benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make immunotherapies more effective against brain metastases and help patients live longer or have better disease control.
How similar studies have performed: Previous preclinical and early clinical work suggests TGF-β blockade can boost immunotherapy in some cancers, but applying this approach specifically to brain metastases is relatively new and still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
STANFORD, UNITED STATES
- STANFORD UNIVERSITY — STANFORD, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LIM, MICHAEL — STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: LIM, MICHAEL
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.