Understanding how a specific receptor affects bladder cancer treatment responses and side effects
Official title: The role of AHR in modulatingimmunotherapy response and adverse events in bladder cancer
Funded at Van Andel Research Institute · NIH-11014334 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific protein in bladder cancer might affect how well some patients respond to certain treatments and why some people have side effects or their cancer grows faster after treatment, with the goal of finding ways to help more patients get better care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Van Andel Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Rapids, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $153,160 |
| NIH project number | 5K99CA286742-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11014334 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with bladder cancer who are considering or currently undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with bladder cancer who are not eligible for immune checkpoint inhibitors or those with other types of cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in bladder cancer, particularly how it influences responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and the occurrence of adverse events. The study aims to identify why only a subset of patients benefit from ICIs and why some experience rapid tumor growth after treatment. By analyzing RNA and protein expression in bladder tumors, researchers hope to uncover mechanisms that could predict treatment outcomes and improve patient care. The findings could lead to better strategies for managing bladder cancer and its treatment-related complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for bladder cancer patients, enhancing their response to immunotherapy and reducing adverse effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of immune-related adverse events in cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Van Andel Research Institute
Grand Rapids, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jang, Hyo Sik — Van Andel Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Jang, Hyo Sik
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Population modeling to reduce bladder cancer burden
Aimed at predicting and guiding effective, population-based ways to prevent and control bladder cancer.
-
Blocking a new immune checkpoint in bladder cancer
Researchers are trying medicines that block a newly found immune pathway to help people with bladder cancer, especially those whose tumors do not respond to current immunotherapy.
-
Nrf2 in T cells and how it could boost immune power against bladder cancer
A small grant will explore how a T-cell protein called Nrf2 affects muscle-invasive bladder cancer and whether targeting it could help patients respond better to immune therapies.
-
Understanding why bladder cancer spreads and resists treatment
This grant studies how advanced bladder cancer changes and spreads across the body, aiming to uncover why it’s hard to treat.
-
Molecular clues to bladder cancer cell changes and therapy response
This NIH grant looks at how bladder cancer cells change their identity and how that affects response to treatment, with a focus on aggressive neuroendocrine variants.
-
Repurposing spironolactone to treat bladder cancer inside the bladder
Aims to repurpose spironolactone as an intravesical treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer to help prevent recurrence and progression.
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.