Investigating the GPR171 pathway to improve cancer immunotherapy
Official title: The GPR171 pathway in cancer immunotherapy
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11045061 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help cancer treatments work better by understanding how a specific pathway affects immune cells, and it could lead to improved therapies for people with various types of cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 25, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $355,706 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279398-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045061 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with various types of cancer who may benefit from enhanced immunotherapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that are not responsive to immunotherapy or those who do not have T cell involvement may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores a newly identified pathway involving GPR171, which may play a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. By examining how the GPR171/BigLEN interaction affects T cell activity, the study aims to identify new strategies to boost the immune response against tumors. The researchers will utilize various mouse models to test the effects of blocking GPR171 signaling on T cell proliferation and antitumor immunity. This approach could lead to more effective treatments for patients with different types of cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cancer immunotherapy options, potentially increasing response rates for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting immune checkpoint pathways, suggesting that this approach could yield significant advancements in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Yuwen — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Yuwen
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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.