Mutant IDH in bile duct cancer and its impact on immune response
Official title: Functions of mutant IDH in cholangiocarcinoma
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11392376 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing look at how mutations in IDH1 drive bile duct cancer and how targeting this mutation could help immune cells fight the tumor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $653,532 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA280085-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392376 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) whose tumors harbor IDH1 mutations may be eligible or could benefit from related future studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without IDH1 mutations or without immune-related targets described in this work may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project studies how mutant IDH1 changes the biology of cholangiocarcinoma and shapes the tumor’s interaction with the immune system. Researchers use mouse models and patient samples to understand why mutant IDH1 makes tumors evade immune attack and how IDH1 inhibitors may restore immune effectiveness and work with immunotherapies. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that explain response and resistance so future treatments can be more durable and effective. The work is anchored in a real patient population with bile duct cancer and could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could improve how bile duct cancer is treated by making tumors more visible to the immune system and enhancing responses to immunotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows IDH1 inhibitors can slow tumor growth and may sensitize tumors to immune therapies, with ongoing efforts to understand durability.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El-Bardeesy, Nabeel — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: El-Bardeesy, Nabeel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A new mouse model to study intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and its immunotherapy
A new mouse model helps researchers understand intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and test immune-based treatments to improve outcomes.
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Radiation plus a patient’s own immune cells to boost cholangiocarcinoma treatment
This project tests a therapy that combines precise radiation and the patient’s own dendritic cells with immune drugs to help fight intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in people who cannot have surgery.
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Worldwide genetics of bile duct (cholangiocarcinoma)
Researchers are looking for genetic patterns that raise the risk of bile duct cancer in people from diverse regions worldwide.
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MKK4 and Liver Regeneration after Major Liver Surgery
A study at Mayo Clinic will test a new drug, HRX215, to help people regrow liver tissue after major liver surgery for cancer.
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New mouse model to improve immune therapy for intrahepatic bile duct (cholangiocarcinoma) cancer
This project builds a new mouse model to help make immune-based treatments work better for people with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a type of bile duct liver cancer.
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Understanding a tumor-promoting immune pathway in bile duct cancer
A new NIH grant aims to test how a specific immune protein, B7-H4, helps cholangiocarcinoma grow and how blocking it might slow the cancer.
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.