NIH-funded research Career grant

Understanding how aging cells affect immune responses in cancer

Official title: Investigating the interplay between senescence and T cell immunity

Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-10898035 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how aging cells that stop dividing affect the ability of T cells, which are important for fighting cancer, to do their job, with the hope of finding new ways to improve cancer treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project startAugust 2, 2023
Project endJuly 31, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$143,275
NIH project number5K99CA279782-02
Project IDNIH-10898035 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing cancer treatment who may experience cellular senescence as a result of their therapy.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those not receiving any form of cancer treatment may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between cellular senescence, a process where cells stop dividing, and the immune response of T cells against tumors. By combining expertise in T cell biology and cancer modeling, the research aims to uncover how senescent cells influence the effectiveness of T cells in fighting cancer. The approach involves conducting experiments to explore the mechanisms by which senescence impacts immune responses, potentially leading to new insights in cancer treatment.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies by improving T cell responses against tumors.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of cellular senescence in cancer, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in treatment.

Where this research is happening

  • Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
    New York, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Mezzadra, Riccardo — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
  • Study coordinator: Mezzadra, Riccardo

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.