NIH-funded research Career grant

Investigating T cell changes in patients experiencing side effects from cancer immunotherapy

Official title: Single-cell dissection of CD4 T cell changes in patients with immune-related adverse events following PD-1 inhibition

Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11012869 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how a type of cancer treatment called PD-1 therapy can sometimes cause side effects related to the immune system, and it will compare patients who have these side effects with those who don’t to better understand why they happen and how vaccinations might help identify any hidden immune problems.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pennsylvania
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project startFebruary 1, 2023
Project endDecember 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$172,724
NIH project number5K08AR081929-03
Project IDNIH-11012869 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients receiving PD-1 immunotherapy who may experience immune-related adverse events.

Less likely to help

Patients not undergoing PD-1 immunotherapy or those who do not experience immune-related adverse events may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how PD-1 checkpoint inhibition, a type of cancer immunotherapy, can lead to immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients. The study will analyze two groups of patients: one group receiving PD-1 therapy who develop irAEs and another group who do not. By examining the differences in CD4 T cell behavior and characteristics between these groups, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that trigger these adverse effects. Additionally, the study will explore how vaccination may reveal underlying immune issues in patients experiencing irAEs.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better management and prevention of immune-related side effects in patients undergoing PD-1 immunotherapy.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses related to PD-1 inhibition, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Apostolidis, Sokratis — University of Pennsylvania
  • Study coordinator: Apostolidis, Sokratis

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.