Understanding heart problems caused by cancer immunotherapy drugs
Official title: Unraveling Adverse Effects of Checkpoint Inhibitors Using iPSC-derived Cardiac Organoids
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10763423 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cancer treatments called immune checkpoint inhibitors might harm the heart, and it’s using special lab-grown heart tissues to better understand this problem, with the hope of finding ways to protect patients during their treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | January 13, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $124,568 |
| NIH project number | 5K99HL163443-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10763423 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who are being treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and may be at risk for cardiac complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving immunotherapy or those without pre-existing cardiovascular conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the adverse cardiac effects associated with monoclonal antibody-based immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) used in cancer treatment. By utilizing induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, the study aims to create three-dimensional cardiac organoids that mimic human heart tissue. These organoids will be used to model and understand the mechanisms behind heart injuries caused by ICIs, potentially leading to new protective strategies for patients undergoing immunotherapy. The research combines expertise in immunology, bioengineering, and cardiac biology to explore this critical issue.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved safety and cardioprotective strategies for patients receiving immunotherapy for cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research into the cardiac effects of cancer therapies, this specific approach using iPSC-derived cardiac organoids is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Dilip — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Dilip
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.