Improving immunotherapy for invasive bladder cancer using insights from dogs and people
Official title: Advancing immunotherapy through cross species studies of immune cell responses and immune checkpoint inhibitor effects in dogs and humans with invasive urinary bladder cancer
Funded at Purdue University · NIH-11163412 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project compares immune responses and immunotherapy effects in people and pet dogs with invasive bladder cancer to find clues that could help more patients benefit from checkpoint drugs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $672,254 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA272280-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11163412 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include people with invasive urothelial carcinoma (advanced bladder cancer), especially those considering or receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, and owners of pet dogs diagnosed with naturally occurring invasive bladder cancer who are willing to enroll their animals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-invasive bladder tumors, other cancer types, or those not treated with or eligible for immune checkpoint inhibitors are unlikely to see direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
This project studies immune cells and treatment responses in people and in pet dogs that naturally develop invasive bladder cancer to identify shared and different patterns. Researchers will collect tumor samples, blood, and treatment outcomes from dogs given immune checkpoint inhibitors and compare those data to human samples and clinical results. Advanced laboratory profiling will look at which immune cells activate, how tumors change, and what predicts treatment success or immune-related side effects. The work aims to make the canine model more useful so discoveries can better guide immunotherapy for patients with invasive bladder cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help more patients respond to immunotherapy and reduce immune-related side effects by identifying markers and mechanisms that predict benefit.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows naturally occurring canine bladder cancer closely resembles human disease and that immune checkpoint drugs help a minority of patients, but directly comparing immune responses across dogs and humans to guide therapy is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Purdue University
West Lafayette, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knapp, Deborah W — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Knapp, Deborah W
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Cross-species study of immune responses to cancer immunotherapy in dogs and humans with invasive bladder cancer
A study using dogs with naturally occurring invasive bladder cancer to help improve immune checkpoint therapies for people with the same disease.
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Exploring immune responses in dogs and humans with bladder cancer
This study is looking at how a type of cancer treatment called immune checkpoint inhibitors works for both dogs and humans with bladder cancer, hoping to find ways to make the treatment better for everyone.
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Targeted Internal Radiation and Immune Therapy for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
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Using mathematical models to improve immune therapy for bladder cancer
This study is exploring a new way to treat bladder cancer by using your own immune cells to fight the disease, and it aims to make the treatment more effective and easier on your body by giving smaller doses directly into the bladder.
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Boosting immune response to fight cancer
This study is exploring a new way to help your immune system better fight cancer by tweaking certain cells in your body, and it aims to improve treatment for people with advanced cancer.
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A center focused on immunotherapy for pediatric cancers.
This study is exploring new ways to use the body's immune system to fight childhood cancers, aiming to create better treatments for kids whose cancers haven't responded well to standard therapies.
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.