Reducing radiation-related loss of immune cells during cancer treatment
Project 2: Radiation-Induced Lymphopenia: Understanding, Predictive Modeling and Developing Photon and Proton-Based Mitigation Strategies.
This project aims to lower treatment-related loss of key immune cells in people receiving radiotherapy for solid tumors by using personalized photon or proton therapy plans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184390 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of work that uses your clinical information and radiation dose patterns to build models predicting who is likely to develop low lymphocyte counts after radiotherapy. The team will track blood counts and T‑cell diversity, compare outcomes after photon (X‑ray) versus proton treatments, and use advanced intensity‑modulated techniques (IMRT/IMPT) to shape radiation plans. Models will produce individualized dose limits to try to spare circulating immune cells and nearby immune structures. If you join, your treatment plan and blood samples may be used to refine these approaches and test whether preserving lymphocytes improves cancer outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with solid tumors (for example, brain cancer) who are scheduled for curative‑intent radiotherapy and can provide blood samples and follow‑up data.
Not a fit: Patients not receiving radiotherapy, those with severe pre‑existing immune deficiencies, or who cannot attend treatment at participating centers are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could preserve immune cell numbers and quality during radiotherapy, potentially improving cancer control and survival.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked severe post‑radiation lymphopenia to worse outcomes and suggested proton therapy may spare lymphocytes, but fully personalized predictive and mitigation strategies are still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lin, Steven Hsesheng — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Lin, Steven Hsesheng
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.