Understanding and Preventing Side Effects of Cancer Immunotherapy
Bioactive Metabolites Modulate Immune-Related Adverse Events in Cancer Immunotherapy
This research looks at a natural small molecule called LPC 18:2 to help prevent or reduce severe side effects in cancer patients receiving powerful immune-boosting treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | La Jolla Institute for Immunology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11123429 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Cancer immunotherapy has brought great hope to many patients by helping their own immune system fight cancer. However, these treatments can sometimes cause serious immune-related side effects, which can be very difficult to manage and may even lead to stopping treatment. Our team is exploring a specific natural molecule, LPC 18:2, which we believe might help control these unwanted immune reactions. We are studying how LPC 18:2 levels relate to side effects in cancer patients and how it might protect against them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future studies related to this research would be cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint blockade therapy who are at risk for or experiencing immune-related adverse events.
Not a fit: Patients not undergoing immune checkpoint blockade therapy or those who do not experience immune-related adverse events may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat the severe side effects of cancer immunotherapy, allowing more patients to safely continue their life-saving treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Currently, there are no known molecular modulators specifically designed to prevent or treat immune-related adverse events from immune checkpoint blockade, making this a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharma, Sonia — La Jolla Institute for Immunology
- Study coordinator: Sharma, Sonia
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.