Investigating how IL-6 affects resistance to cancer treatment in lung cancer patients
The role of IL6-induced LAG3 as a resistance mechanism to PD1 blockade in NSCLC patients
This study is looking at how a protein called IL-6 affects the success of cancer treatments for patients with non-small cell lung cancer by making it harder for the immune system to fight the cancer, and it hopes to find new ways to improve these treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10911335 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how the protein IL-6 contributes to resistance against anti-PD-1 therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It aims to explore the mechanism by which IL-6 induces the expression of LAG3, a protein that suppresses T cell activation, leading to reduced effectiveness of cancer treatments. The study will involve analyzing blood samples from patients to assess IL-6 levels and their relationship with T cell function. If successful, this research could pave the way for new treatment strategies that combine IL-6 inhibition with existing therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who are receiving or have received anti-PD-1 therapy.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage lung cancer or those who have not undergone anti-PD-1 therapy may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for lung cancer patients who currently do not respond well to anti-PD-1 therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that targeting immune checkpoint pathways can enhance cancer treatment efficacy, suggesting that this approach may yield promising results.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Somasundaram, Ashwin — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Somasundaram, Ashwin
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.