Understanding how immune cells called T cells fight cancer and why some treatments stop working
Deciphering the Roles of STING-Mediated T cell Pyroptosis in Antitumor Immunity
This project explores why certain immune-boosting cancer treatments, like STING agonists, sometimes stop working, focusing on how T cells respond to these therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11095820 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The grant aims to understand why STING agonist therapies, which activate the immune system to fight cancer, face resistance in patients. Researchers have found that while STING activation can boost immunity, it can also cause T cells, which are crucial for fighting tumors, to die. This project will investigate this complex process to uncover the specific ways tumors evade the immune system. By understanding these mechanisms, we hope to find new strategies to make cancer immunotherapies more effective.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with various cancers who might benefit from or are currently undergoing immunotherapy, particularly those involving T cells or STING agonists, could be relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancer does not involve T cell immunity or STING pathways may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to improve existing cancer immunotherapies and overcome treatment resistance, making them more effective for patients.
How similar studies have performed: While STING agonists have shown promise in some contexts, the mechanisms of resistance observed in clinical trials are not fully understood, making this a novel investigation into those specific challenges.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Jianjun — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Wu, Jianjun
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.