Improving Immunotherapy for Brain Cancer
Official title: Project 1: Targeting immunotherapy-induced resistance with DC vaccination and PD-1/CSF-1R inhibition
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11164734 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores new ways to make immunotherapy more effective for people with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, by overcoming treatment resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2017 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $402,824 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA211015-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11164734 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is focused on understanding and improving treatments for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma, particularly those who may develop resistance to current immunotherapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without glioblastoma or those not receiving immunotherapy would not directly benefit from this specific research at its current stage.
What this research studies
For patients with glioblastoma, finding effective treatments is a major challenge, and immunotherapy offers a promising path by using the body's own immune system to fight cancer. Our previous work with a type of immunotherapy called dendritic cell (DC) vaccination, combined with anti-PD1 treatment, showed that immune cells could enter brain tumors. However, we also noticed that this approach might unintentionally bring in other cells that suppress the immune response. This project aims to block these immune-suppressing cells using a new drug, CSF-1R inhibitor, alongside the DC vaccination and anti-PD1 treatment, to help the immune system better attack the tumor.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more effective and longer-lasting immunotherapy treatments for patients with glioblastoma, potentially improving survival.
How similar studies have gone: Previous clinical trial results from this group showed T-cell infiltration into brain tumors with DC vaccination, and animal studies combining these new strategies have shown significantly prolonged survival.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prins, Robert M — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Prins, Robert M
Related research
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Targeting brain cancer resistance with dendritic cell vaccination and PD-1/CSF-1R inhibition
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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.