Understanding how cancer cells evade the immune system and resist treatment
The role of the CD58:CD2 axis in cancer immune evasion and resistance to immunotherapy
This study is looking at how some cancer cells avoid being attacked by the immune system, especially focusing on a specific interaction between proteins, to help understand why some people with metastatic melanoma don’t respond well to certain treatments, with the hope of finding better therapies for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10906884 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain cancer cells manage to evade the immune system, particularly focusing on the CD58:CD2 interaction. By examining the behavior of CD8+ T cells, which are crucial for fighting tumors, the study aims to uncover why some patients do not respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors like anti-PD-1 antibodies. The researchers will utilize advanced techniques, including CRISPR-Cas9 screening and single-cell RNA sequencing, to analyze patient-derived tumor and immune cell pairs. The ultimate goal is to develop new therapies that can enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments for patients with metastatic melanoma.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with metastatic melanoma who have not responded to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage melanoma or those who have not undergone immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for patients with metastatic melanoma who currently do not respond to existing immunotherapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding immune evasion mechanisms in cancer, but the specific focus on the CD58:CD2 axis is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Izar, Benjamin — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Izar, Benjamin
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.