Understanding how cholesterol affects cancer treatment with liposomal drugs
Official title: CHOLESTEROL METABOLISM IN THE PHARMACOLOGY OF LIPOSOMAL THERAPEUTICS
Funded at Texas Tech University Health Scis Center · NIH-10931425 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special way of delivering cancer drugs, called liposomal drug delivery systems, affects the immune system, especially certain immune cells, to find better treatments that help fight cancer while causing fewer side effects for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Tech University Health Scis Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lubbock, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $463,889 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA282339-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931425 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients undergoing treatment with liposomal chemotherapy or those who may benefit from improved liposomal drug formulations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently receiving liposomal chemotherapy or those with non-cancerous conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how liposomal drug delivery systems, which are designed to improve cancer treatment by increasing drug accumulation in tumors while protecting normal tissues, interact with the immune system. The study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms by which liposomal cholesterol affects immune cells, particularly macrophages, and how this interaction may inadvertently promote tumor growth. By analyzing the metabolism of cholesterol in liposomes and exploring alternative cholesterol analogs, the research seeks to develop more effective liposomal formulations that minimize negative immune responses. Patients may benefit from improved cancer therapies that are more effective and have fewer side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that enhance the immune response against tumors while reducing side effects.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of liposomal drug delivery systems is established, the specific investigation into cholesterol metabolism and its effects on immune response in this context is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Tech University Health Scis Center
Lubbock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: La-Beck, Ninh — Texas Tech University Health Scis Center
- Study coordinator: La-Beck, Ninh
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.