Targeted CXCR3 blockade to treat immunotherapy-related heart inflammation
Official title: A Targeted Approach to Treat Immunotherapy-Induced Myocarditis with CXCR3 Blockade
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11415616 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A targeted drug approach aims to prevent or lessen heart inflammation caused by immune therapies in cancer patients, using CXCR3-blocking strategies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $744,762 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL177581-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415616 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals undergoing cancer immunotherapy who are at risk for ICIM or who have developed ICIM in early-stage studies or future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without ICIM or those unlikely to develop or benefit from CXCR3-targeted therapy may not gain direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a heart complication called ICIM that can occur with certain cancer immunotherapies. Researchers will study how immune cells in the heart interact and test a CXCR3-blocking treatment in mouse models that include tumors, to see if it reduces heart inflammation without compromising cancer control. The work uses advanced single-cell analysis and animal models to understand the immune cell crosstalk driving ICIM and to identify a drug-like CXCR3 inhibitor that could be translated to patients. If successful, the approach could lead to new therapies that protect the heart while preserving anti-cancer effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients receiving immunotherapy could experience fewer dangerous heart side effects while still benefiting from cancer treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical models have shown CXCR3 blockade can reduce ICIM while preserving tumor control, supporting further development.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Han — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Han
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding why immunotherapy can affect the heart and how to protect it
Researchers are studying why certain cancer immunotherapies cause dangerous heart inflammation and how to prevent it, with a focus on patients who receive immune-boosting treatments.
-
Why some cancer immunotherapy drugs cause dangerous heart inflammation
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Understanding how certain immune cells contribute to heart inflammation caused by cancer treatments.
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A center focused on immunotherapy for pediatric cancers.
This study is exploring new ways to use the body's immune system to fight childhood cancers, aiming to create better treatments for kids whose cancers haven't responded well to standard therapies.
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Algorithms to find HLA-E neoantigens for cancer immunotherapy
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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.