Understanding heart inflammation caused by cancer immunotherapy
Official title: Decoding T cell clonotypes, biology and predictive biomarkers associated with immune checkpoint Myocarditis
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11048143 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a serious heart problem called immune-related myocarditis affects cancer patients who are getting certain treatments, and it aims to understand the immune responses in their bodies so that doctors can find safer ways to help them continue their cancer care without heart issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $858,186 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI182098-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11048143 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients undergoing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors who may be at risk for developing myocarditis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors or those without a history of heart conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the serious heart condition known as immune-related myocarditis, which can occur in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. The study aims to decode the specific T cell responses and biological markers associated with this condition, using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing and T cell receptor sequencing. By identifying the mechanisms behind this adverse effect, the research seeks to develop better strategies for managing and mitigating the risks of myocarditis while allowing patients to continue their cancer treatment. Patients may be monitored for immune responses in both heart tissue and blood samples to gain insights into this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved management of heart inflammation in cancer patients, allowing them to safely continue life-saving immunotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on immune-related myocarditis is relatively novel, there have been successful studies exploring immune-related adverse events in cancer therapies, indicating potential for impactful findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Villani, Alexandra-Chloe — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Villani, Alexandra-Chloe
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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.