Pathway-guided treatment of colon toxicity from immune checkpoint inhibitors
Official title: Pathway-guided treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy-induced colon toxicity
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11384653 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-focused look at a study that aims to understand and improve how immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy causes colon inflammation and how to treat it more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $663,989 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA284640-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384653 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors who develop or are at risk for ICI-colitis or related colon toxicity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without ICI-colitis or those not undergoing ICI therapy are unlikely to benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project seeks to map the molecular pathways that drive irAEs like ICI-colitis in people receiving anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies. Researchers will analyze tissue and blood samples to identify biomarkers and cellular players, with the goal of guiding better, more targeted treatments to control inflammation. The work builds on observations from a small patient cohort and aims to translate findings into strategies that allow patients to continue life-saving cancer therapy with fewer side effects. If successful, the study could lead to personalized management plans based on a patient’s specific inflammatory signals. Participation would involve clinical assessments and sample collection linked to ongoing cancer care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients who develop colon irAEs could receive faster, more precise care that reduces downtime from cancer therapy and improves comfort and outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies in a small cohort suggest identifiable inflammatory pathways, but broader validation is needed for clinical impact.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Jennifer — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Wu, Jennifer
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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.