Improving T-cell therapy for cancer
Exploiting a novel regulator of immunometabolism to enhance immunotherapy
This research aims to make cancer-fighting T cells stronger and more effective against solid tumors by helping them thrive in difficult tumor environments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136303 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Adoptive T cell therapy has shown great promise in fighting cancer, especially blood cancers. However, solid tumors create a challenging environment where T cells struggle to survive and work effectively, often due to a lack of essential nutrients like glucose and glutamine. This project explores a new way to make T cells more adaptable, allowing them to use different energy sources. By making these T cells more flexible, we hope they can better overcome the harsh conditions within solid tumors and improve treatment outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with solid tumors, such as melanoma, who may benefit from improved adoptive T cell therapies in the future, are the ultimate focus of this foundational work.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are not targeted by adoptive T cell therapies or who do not have solid tumors may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective T cell immunotherapies for solid tumors, offering new hope for patients who currently have limited options.
How similar studies have performed: While T cell therapies have seen success, this specific approach of metabolically engineering T cells for fuel flexibility to overcome the tumor microenvironment is a novel strategy.
Where this research is happening
Hanover, United States
- Dartmouth College — Hanover, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Usherwood, Edward J — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Usherwood, Edward J
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.