Understanding how immune cells fight cancer to improve immunotherapy
Systems Biology of Antigen and T-Cell Transport in Cancer Immunotherapy
['FUNDING_R01'] · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · NIH-11118941
This work explores how immune cells called T cells find and attack cancer cells, aiming to make cancer immunotherapy more effective for more patients.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11118941 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Cancer cells often hide from our immune system, but treatments called immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) can help the immune system recognize and fight them. Unfortunately, these treatments only work for a small number of patients, and we don't yet know who will benefit. This project looks closely at how T cells, a type of immune cell, get activated in lymph nodes to start fighting tumors. By understanding how tumor signals and T cells interact and travel through the body, we hope to find new ways to boost the immune response against cancer. This could lead to better ways to predict who will respond to current treatments and develop new, more effective therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to patients with various cancers who may be candidates for or are undergoing immunotherapy.
Not a fit: Patients not affected by cancers treatable with immunotherapy or those seeking immediate treatment options may not directly benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to predict which cancer patients will respond to immunotherapy and help develop more effective treatments for those who currently do not benefit.
How similar studies have performed: While immune checkpoint blockers have shown success in some patients, this specific approach to understanding T-cell activation in lymph nodes for broader immunotherapy improvement is a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PADERA, TIMOTHY P — MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: PADERA, TIMOTHY P
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.