Understanding how immune cells interact with brain tumors to find new treatments
Official title: Exploring the Function of MHC-II/Lag3 Axis in Brain Metastasis to Develop Novel Therapeutic Strategies
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11124843 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how the brain's immune cells talk to breast cancer cells that have spread to the brain, hoping to find new ways to stop these tumors from growing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 5, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $526,134 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA266099-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124843 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with breast cancer that has spread to the brain, particularly those who do not respond well to current treatments, are the focus of this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without breast cancer or brain metastasis would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Brain metastasis, where cancer spreads to the brain, is a serious problem for many patients, and current treatments often don't work well. We are learning more about how cancer cells interact with the unique environment of the brain. Our team discovered that special immune cells in the brain, called microglia, use a specific signal (MHC-II/Lag3) to try and stop early brain tumors. However, in human brain tumors, this important signal is often turned down. We are exploring how this signal gets turned down and if we can turn it back up using certain medications to help control tumor growth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medications that help the body's own immune system fight breast cancer that has spread to the brain, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: This approach builds on recent discoveries about immune cell interactions in the brain and preliminary findings showing that targeting specific pathways can reduce tumor growth in models.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Dihua — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Yu, Dihua
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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.