Understanding how bladder cancer resists treatment with BCG therapy
Identifying novel resistance mechanisms in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)
This study is looking into why some people with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer don’t get better with the usual BCG treatment, and it aims to find new ways to help those patients by understanding how their immune system might be resisting the therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10881778 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind why some patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer do not respond to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy, which is the standard treatment for this condition. The study aims to identify specific immune resistance pathways that may contribute to treatment failure, focusing on the role of immune checkpoints like PD-L1 and HLA-E/NKG2A. By analyzing patient samples and treatment responses, the researchers hope to uncover new targets for therapy that could improve outcomes for those who do not respond to BCG. This work could lead to more effective treatment strategies for bladder cancer patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer who have received BCG therapy but experienced recurrence or progression of their disease.
Not a fit: Patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer or those who have not undergone BCG therapy may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for patients with bladder cancer who currently do not respond to BCG therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in targeting immune resistance mechanisms in cancer, suggesting that this approach may lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sfakianos, John — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Sfakianos, John
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.