Targeting the prostate tumor immune environment in African American men to improve immune therapies
Disrupting the Prostate Tumor Microenvironment in African American Men to Promote Response to Immuno-Modulatory Therapy
This project looks at whether changing the immune surroundings of prostate tumors in men of African ancestry can help immune-based treatments work better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166359 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers may ask for fresh tumor tissue from surgery or biopsy so they can compare the immune makeup of tumors from men of African ancestry and men of European ancestry. They will use computer methods to separate and describe the different immune cells and signals inside the tumor. In the lab they will test interactions using a bioengineered tumor-immune platform and short-term patient-derived tumor explants to see how immune-modifying drugs change the tumor environment. The team is especially focused on how the STING–IFN pathway and DNA damage response affect whether tumors stay immune-suppressed or become more responsive to treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are men of African ancestry with prostate cancer who can provide fresh tumor tissue (for example during surgery or biopsy).
Not a fit: People without prostate cancer or those unable or unwilling to provide tumor tissue are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make immune-based treatments more effective for prostate cancer in African American men.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies suggest immune differences by ancestry and some promise for immune-modifying approaches, but using bioengineered platforms and patient-derived explants to probe this question is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yamoah, Kosj — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Yamoah, Kosj
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.