Preclinical mouse models of liposarcoma for immuno-oncology applications
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11447343 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research grant is studying immune-related ways to understand and treat liposarcoma using a specially engineered mouse model that mimics human tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 | August 26, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $609,997 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA308965-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11447343 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with liposarcoma or related adipose-tissue sarcomas could benefit from advances resulting from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not guaranteed during the preclinical mouse study; results will inform future human research.
What this research studies
This project uses an immunocompetent, genetically engineered mouse model of liposarcoma to mirror human disease features, including p53 pathway alterations. It focuses on how the immune system interacts with liposarcoma and how immune-based therapies might work. Researchers will analyze tumor biology, genetics, and immune cell presence to identify potential treatment strategies. The work aims to translate findings toward future therapies for patients with liposarcoma who have limited options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new immunotherapy approaches and better understanding of liposarcoma biology to improve patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in sarcoma immunology has shown promise, but liposarcoma-specific immunology remains an area of active exploration.
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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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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Investigating the immune environment of liposarcoma using genetically modified mice
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.
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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.