NIH-funded research Career grant

Targeting immune vulnerabilities in small cell lung cancer

Official title: Targeting the immunologic vulnerabilities of small cell lung carcinoma

Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11384862 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A physician-scientist is undergoing a five-year training program to understand how immune cells interact with small cell lung cancer and to build skills for a future independent lab career.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2022
Project endAugust 31, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$207,930
NIH project number5K08CA270077-06
Project IDNIH-11384862 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with small cell lung cancer or related tumor types may benefit from future translational applications stemming from this work.

Less likely to help

Initial training outcomes may not immediately improve patient care for all participants during the mentored period.

What this research studies

This NIH K08 grant supports a career development path focused on tumor immunobiology and how tumors’ immune environment is shaped. The trainee will gain expertise in antigen discovery, high-resolution expression profiling, and cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic immune regulatory mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment. The program combines hands-on lab work with clinical service in diagnostic molecular pathology, guided by an experienced mentor and an advisory committee. The goal is to become an independent researcher who can translate immunology insights into new approaches for treating small cell lung cancer.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new immune-targeted therapies or biomarkers for small cell lung cancer.

How similar studies have gone: There is a translational track record in tumor immunology showing promise for immunotherapy in lung cancers, though direct applications to small cell lung cancer remain under development.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
    Ann Arbor, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Mahadevan, Navin — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
  • Study coordinator: Mahadevan, Navin

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Investigating immune weaknesses in small cell lung cancer

    This study is looking at how the immune system works with small cell lung cancer to find new ways to help it fight the disease, and it's designed for patients who want to learn more about potential treatments.

    NIH research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-11241187

  • How small cell lung cancer cells switch between different states

    This research looks at how cells inside small cell lung cancer change into different types and how those changes affect treatment for people with SCLC.

    NIH research Northwestern University · Chicago, United States · NIH-11162301

  • Understanding how small cell lung cancer adapts and resists treatment

    This study is looking at small cell lung cancer to understand why it grows so quickly and resists treatment, using special models from patients to find new ways to improve care for people facing this tough disease.

    NIH research Northwestern University at Chicago · Chicago, United States · NIH-10887640

  • A new treatment for squamous cell lung cancer using targeted therapy

    This study is testing a new treatment for squamous cell lung cancer that uses a special drug designed to deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, which could help patients feel better and live longer while protecting healthy tissues.

    NIH research Boston University (Charles River Campus) · Boston, United States · NIH-10671669

  • Combining targeted therapies to treat difficult lung cancer cases

    This study is testing a new way to treat advanced non-small cell lung cancer by using a special self-injectable medicine that targets specific proteins causing the cancer, with the hope of making treatments work better for patients.

    NIH research St. John's University · Queens, United States · NIH-10580447

  • Novel idea: Epstein-Barr virus and eye cancer in people living with HIV in Zimbabwe

    A study explores whether Epstein-Barr virus could cause a type of eye cancer in people living with HIV in Zimbabwe.

    NIH research H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst · Tampa, United States · NIH-11625534

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.