Predicting immune-related side effects from checkpoint inhibitor cancer drugs using symptom reports and blood immune tests
Integrating patient-reported outcomes and T-cell receptor sequencing to predict immune-related adverse events
This project uses patients' symptom reports combined with T‑cell immune testing to predict who receiving checkpoint inhibitor cancer drugs might develop severe immune side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249151 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I'm treated with drugs called immune checkpoint inhibitors, the team will regularly ask me about symptoms and collect blood to analyze my T‑cell receptors. They will combine what I report with advanced sequencing of T‑cell receptors to build a risk model that aims to flag early signs of serious immune-related side effects. The end goal is a clinical tool doctors can use to monitor patients more closely, start treatment sooner for side effects, and avoid stopping a cancer therapy that is working. This work builds on early findings at MD Anderson and will validate the approach in more patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with cancer who are starting or receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and who can provide symptom reports and blood samples.
Not a fit: People not receiving checkpoint inhibitor therapy, those unable to give blood or symptom reports, or those whose side effects arise from causes not reflected in T‑cell measures may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help catch dangerous immune side effects earlier, reduce hospitalizations, and allow more patients to safely continue effective cancer immunotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: Early MD Anderson data suggest links between T‑cell features and immune side effects, but combining patient-reported symptoms with T‑cell receptor sequencing is a relatively new approach that still needs validation.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Naing, Aung — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Naing, Aung
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 below.