Integrated blood and radiomics to guide immunotherapy in metastatic NSCLC
Official title: Integrated blood and radiomic subtyping to guide immunotherapy treatment selection and early response assessment in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11332497 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project aims to use blood tests and advanced imaging patterns to personalize first-line immunotherapy choices for people with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $658,360 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276178-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332497 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer being considered for first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor-based regimens.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for immunotherapy or whose disease biology does not match the developed signatures may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project combines blood-based biomarkers with radiomic analysis from imaging to predict how well patients will respond to different first-line immune therapies for metastatic NSCLC. By creating integrated signatures from blood and imaging data, the study seeks to guide upfront treatment choices and monitor early responses. Researchers will use data science approaches, thoracic oncology expertise, and previously collected samples and images to build predictive models that healthcare providers could apply in practice. The work focuses on making biomarkers practical and non-invasive, reducing the need for repeat tissue biopsies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may receive more effective first-line immunotherapy choices with better early response assessment, potentially improving outcomes and reducing unnecessary treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest that combined blood and imaging markers can inform treatment responses, but integrated radiomic-blood predictors for this specific setting are still being developed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vokes, Natalie — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Vokes, Natalie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting GARP-TGFβ to Improve Immunotherapy in NSCLC
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-
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A scientist team is testing whether blocking a protein called DHX9 can make aggressive small cell lung cancer more visible to the immune system and more responsive to immunotherapy.
-
Blocking a tumor pathway to boost immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer
This project will see if adding a drug that blocks the Hedgehog pathway to immune checkpoint therapy helps people with non-small cell lung cancer by restoring the immune system's CD8 T cells inside tumors.
-
Improving Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer with CT Scans
This work aims to find new ways to predict which non-small cell lung cancer patients will respond best to immunotherapy using information from their routine CT scans.
-
Using CT scans and patient tests to predict who will benefit from PD‑1 immunotherapy
A computer tool combines CT scan features, blood and tumor markers, and clinical data to predict which people with advanced lung or bladder cancer are likely to benefit from PD‑1 immunotherapy.
-
Blocking a protein called GARP to help the immune system fight non-small cell lung cancer
A new antibody that targets GARP is being developed to reduce immune-suppressing TGFβ in tumors and help people with non-small cell lung cancer respond better to immunotherapy.
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.