Investigating how tunneling nanotube inhibitors can enhance cancer immunotherapy
Official title: Tunneling Nanotube Inhibitors for Cancer Immunotherapy
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11062228 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at tiny structures called tunneling nanotubes that help prostate cancer cells communicate with immune cells, and it hopes to find new ways to make immunotherapy work better for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 19, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $153,677 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA276525-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11062228 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are men diagnosed with prostate cancer, particularly those with castration-resistant prostate cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those without prostate cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) in prostate cancer and their impact on treatment resistance. By exploring how these nanotubes facilitate communication between cancer cells and immune cells, the study aims to identify potential pharmacological targets that could improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy. The approach includes advanced techniques such as bioengineering and microscopy to analyze the interactions at a cellular level. Patients may benefit from new therapeutic strategies that could enhance their immune response against cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective immunotherapy options for patients with prostate cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of targeting tunneling nanotubes is relatively novel, preliminary findings suggest that similar approaches have shown promise in enhancing cancer treatment outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sengupta, Shiladitya — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sengupta, Shiladitya
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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.