Understanding how immune cells in tumors are controlled
Non-coding RNA regulation of Myeloid Cells
This research explores how specific immune cells within tumors, called macrophages, are controlled to either fight cancer or help it grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11125981 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Macrophages are immune cells found in tumors that can either help your body fight cancer or, sometimes, help the tumor grow. The balance of these cells can even affect how well cancer treatments work. This project aims to uncover the hidden ways these tumor-associated macrophages are controlled, particularly focusing on their energy production system. By understanding these controls, we hope to discover new strategies to guide these immune cells to more effectively combat cancer, especially in melanoma.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with cancers where tumor-associated macrophages play a significant role, such as melanoma, could potentially benefit from future therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers do not involve the specific immune cell pathways or macrophage types being studied may not directly benefit from this particular line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that reprogram immune cells to better fight cancer.
How similar studies have performed: While the general role of immune cells in cancer is known, this specific approach of targeting non-coding RNA and mitochondrial complexes in tumor-associated macrophages for therapeutic benefit is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Henao-Mejia, Jorge — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Henao-Mejia, Jorge
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.