Investigating the immune environment of liposarcoma using genetically modified mice
Official title: Genetically engineered mouse models to investigate the liposarcoma microenvironment
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11078329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells, called memory T cells, work in the environment of liposarcoma tumors to find new ways to improve treatment for patients with this type of cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $78,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R03CA280126-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078329 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with liposarcoma, particularly those with well-differentiated or dedifferentiated subtypes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who do not have liposarcoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the tumor microenvironment of liposarcoma, a common type of soft tissue cancer, by using genetically engineered mouse models. The study aims to explore the role of memory T cells, particularly resident memory T cells, in the immune response against liposarcoma. By characterizing these immune cells within the tumor, researchers hope to identify new immunotherapeutic strategies that could improve treatment outcomes for patients. The approach involves advanced techniques to analyze the interactions between tumor cells and the immune system in a controlled setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective immunotherapies for patients with liposarcoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the immune response in other solid tumors, suggesting potential for success in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Angeles, Christina Vadala — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Angeles, Christina Vadala
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Dissecting how liposarcoma cells differentiate and interact with immune cells to find new therapies
This grant explores how liposarcoma cancer cells differentiate and how immune cells in the tumor environment influence progression, with the aim of finding new treatment options for patients.
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Preclinical mouse models of liposarcoma for immuno-oncology applications
A research grant is studying immune-related ways to understand and treat liposarcoma using a specially engineered mouse model that mimics human tumors.
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Improving CDK4/6 therapy for liposarcoma by understanding resistance
This project tests a combination therapy to overcome resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors in patients with dedifferentiated liposarcoma and aims to improve treatment results.
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Improving treatment for liposarcoma by understanding drug resistance
This study is looking to help patients with dedifferentiated liposarcoma by finding better ways to use a cancer treatment called CDK4/6 inhibitors, especially for those who don’t respond well to it, by testing a combination of two drugs, palbociclib and mirdametinib, to see if it can improve their treatment results.
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Finding biomarkers to predict treatment benefits for a specific type of cancer
This study is looking at a new treatment approach for people with a rare type of cancer called liposarcoma, by combining two medications to see if they can work better together, and it aims to find out which patients might benefit the most from this combination.
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Personalised neoadjuvant therapy planning for adults with high‑risk soft tissue sarcoma
This project tests whether analyzing tumor tissue and clinical data can help guide neoadjuvant chemotherapy decisions for adults with high‑risk soft tissue sarcomas.
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.