Understanding how immune cells interact with tumors to improve cancer treatment
Official title: Integrating cancer genomics and spatial architecture of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11045768 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells called tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) interact with cancer cells and how this affects treatment outcomes, using advanced computer technology to help doctors better understand these interactions and improve cancer care for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | April 11, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $400,786 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA280089-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045768 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy who have tumor samples available for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have tumors or are not receiving immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor microenvironment and their impact on cancer treatment outcomes. By developing a computational framework that utilizes deep learning, the study aims to automate the analysis of histopathology images to assess the spatial distribution and interactions of TILs with other cells. This innovative approach seeks to integrate TIL metrics with cancer genomic data, providing a more comprehensive understanding of how these immune cells influence patient responses to immunotherapy. The goal is to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of TIL analysis, ultimately leading to better treatment strategies for cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective immunotherapy treatments by providing insights into how immune cells interact with tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using computational methods for analyzing tumor microenvironments, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ji, Hanlee P — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Ji, Hanlee 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.