TGFβ brakes immune evasion and metastasis in Ewing sarcoma during radiation
Official title: TGFβ Regulation of Immune Evasion and Metastasis in Ewing Sarcoma
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11435865 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A physician-scientist will study whether blocking TGFβ during radiation can help CAR T cells fight Ewing sarcoma and improve patient outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 17, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $214,726 |
| NIH project number | 1K08CA317035-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11435865 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with metastatic or relapsed Ewing sarcoma, or those at high risk of progression, could benefit from improved immunotherapy strategies.
✕Less likely to help
The research may not directly benefit patients unless TGFβ inhibition and radiation strategies translate into clinical options.
What this research studies
This career development grant builds on prior work to test how TGFβ inhibition during radiation affects the tumor immune environment in Ewing sarcoma. The project uses an immunocompetent humanized mouse model to explore immune cell infiltration and metastatic spread, with a focus on enabling effective CAR T cell therapy. The aim is to gain advanced skills in immunology, radiation biology, and translational modeling to move promising strategies toward patients with metastatic or relapsed EwS. The research is designed to generate data that could inform future clinical approaches and accommodate the needs of young patients facing poor outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could enhance the effectiveness of CAR T therapy for Ewing sarcoma and potentially improve survival for patients with advanced disease.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary studies in a novel humanized EwS model suggest TGFβ blockade may improve immune cell activity and limit metastasis, supporting translational potential.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Daley, Jessica Dietz — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Daley, Jessica Dietz
Related research
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A 3D platform to study how Ewing sarcoma spreads to bones
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AI-powered prognostic model for Ewing sarcoma using digital pathology
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RAPID: A patient-centered, fast-tracked drug trial platform for young people with relapsed Ewing sarcoma and DSRCT
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Function and Targeting of ETV6 in Ewing Sarcoma
A scientist at Case Western Reserve University is studying a specific protein, ETV6, that helps a rare bone cancer called Ewing sarcoma, with the goal of finding targeted therapies that could spare healthy cells.
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A funded project at Stanford aims to use immune markers on Ewing Sarcoma to develop targeted immunotherapies that work in children and adults with this cancer.
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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.