Targeting a new immune checkpoint in bladder cancer
A New Immune Checkpoint Pathway in Human Bladder Cancer
This project tests whether blocking a newly found immune signal called KIR3DL3-HHLA2 can help people with bladder cancer who do not respond well to current immunotherapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231655 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are examining human bladder tumors and immune cells to see how the KIR3DL3-HHLA2 interaction turns off anti-cancer immune responses. They will measure HHLA2 levels in patient tumor samples and study how KIR3DL3 signals affect immune cells in lab models. The team will use those findings to design and test new antibody or blocker treatments that target this pathway. Clinical experts and lab scientists will collaborate to move promising candidates toward future trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with bladder cancer—especially those with advanced or metastatic disease or tumors that did not respond to PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy—are the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without bladder cancer or whose tumors clearly lack HHLA2 expression are unlikely to benefit from these specific therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce new immunotherapy options for bladder cancer patients who do not benefit from current PD-1/PD-L1 drugs.
How similar studies have performed: PD-1/PD-L1 drugs have helped a minority of bladder cancer patients, and targeting a different checkpoint like KIR3DL3-HHLA2 is a newer strategy with encouraging lab data but not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zang, Xingxing — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Zang, Xingxing
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.