Understanding how cancer spreads to lymph nodes and affects the immune system

Targeting Lymph Node Dependent Immune Tolerance in Cancer

NIH-funded research Stanford University · NIH-11054586

This study is looking at how some cancers, like melanoma and pancreatic cancer, spread to lymph nodes and trick the immune system into ignoring them, with the hope of finding new ways to help the body fight these cancers better.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project IDNIH-11054586 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how certain cancers, like melanoma and pancreatic cancer, spread to lymph nodes and how this affects the body's immune response. The researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms that allow cancer cells to induce immune tolerance in lymph nodes, which may help them spread to other parts of the body. By using advanced techniques, they will explore how immune cells interact with tumor cells and how these interactions can be targeted to prevent cancer progression. The ultimate goal is to develop new therapies that can break this immune tolerance and enhance the body's ability to fight cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, particularly those with lymph node involvement.

Not a fit: Patients with cancers that do not involve lymph nodes or those with early-stage disease may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent cancer from spreading and improve patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in targeting immune tolerance in cancer, suggesting that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

Stanford, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.