Investigating how specific immune cells respond to cancer
Official title: Novel TCR transgenic mice to study tumor neoantigen-specific T cell responses
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10991703 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special type of immune cell called CD8+ T cells reacts to cancer and aims to find better ways to help these cells fight tumors, which could lead to improved treatments for patients with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $66,992 |
| NIH project number | 5R03CA286594-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991703 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that express specific neoantigens, particularly those who may benefit from immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not express the targeted neoantigens or those who are not eligible for immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how activated CD8+ T cells, a type of immune cell, respond to cancer-specific antigens. By using specially designed mice that express these antigens, researchers aim to uncover how these T cells can be effectively primed and recruited to fight tumors. The study will explore the mechanisms behind T cell dysfunction in the tumor environment and how these insights can improve cancer therapies, including CAR-T cell treatments. Patients may benefit from advancements in targeted immunotherapies based on the findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that harness the body's immune response to target tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using TCR transgenic mice has shown promise in understanding T cell responses to tumors, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kane, Lawrence P. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Kane, Lawrence P.
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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.