Targeting DHX9 to boost viral-like immune response in Small Cell Lung Cancer
Official title: Targeting DHX9 to trigger viral mimicry and immunotherapy responsiveness in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Funded at Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr · NIH-11386506 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team is testing whether blocking a protein called DHX9 can make aggressive small cell lung cancer more visible to the immune system and more responsive to immunotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $649,679 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA283552-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386506 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with small cell lung cancer who might be eligible for future immune-therapy trials or research samples related to DHX9 pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with tumors that do not rely on DHX9-related pathways or who cannot tolerate potential immune activation may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at turning “cold” tumors into “hot” ones by activating innate immune signals inside cancer cells. The researchers plan to suppress DHX9, which may cause cancer cells to accumulate viral-like RNA/DNA patterns that alert the immune system. This could enhance responses to immunotherapies that help the immune system attack cancer. The work combines molecular biology and cancer models to understand how DHX9 blockade drives anti-tumor immunity and how it might work with existing treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make more patients with small cell lung cancer respond to immunotherapies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests turning tumors immunogenic can improve response, but this exact DHX9-targeting approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Canadas, Israel — Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Canadas, Israel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Blocking DHX9 to wake the immune system against small cell lung cancer
The team will block a protein called DHX9 in small cell lung cancer to trigger virus-like signals in tumors so they may respond better to immunotherapy.
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Using a new approach to enhance immune response in Small Cell Lung Cancer
This study is exploring a new way to boost immunotherapy for people with Small Cell Lung Cancer by targeting a protein called DHX9, which could help turn less responsive tumors into ones that the immune system can better fight.
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A research project aims to use blood tests and advanced imaging patterns to personalize first-line immunotherapy choices for people with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
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Blocking a tumor pathway to boost immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer
This project will see if adding a drug that blocks the Hedgehog pathway to immune checkpoint therapy helps people with non-small cell lung cancer by restoring the immune system's CD8 T cells inside tumors.
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Improving Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer with CT Scans
This work aims to find new ways to predict which non-small cell lung cancer patients will respond best to immunotherapy using information from their routine CT scans.
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.