Understanding how immune checkpoint drugs can trigger inflammatory arthritis in cancer patients
Official title: Elucidation of Mechanisms underlying Inflammatory Arthritis Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11603643 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at why some cancer patients develop inflammatory arthritis after PD-1 inhibitor therapy and what could be done to prevent it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $300,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AR085109-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11603643 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cancer receiving PD-1 inhibitor therapy or those with ICI-associated inflammatory arthritis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not on PD-1 inhibitors or without inflammatory arthritis related to ICIs may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
The project explores how PD-1 inhibitors, used to treat cancer, can cause inflammatory arthritis by affecting specialized T cells in joints. It combines human samples from patients with ICI-arthritis and mouse models to study the immune pathways involved. The scientists will examine T cells in joint tissue and lymph nodes, and test how PD-1 blockade may activate these cells, potentially leading to arthritis. Findings could point to targeted ways to prevent or treat this side effect without compromising cancer control.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to safer cancer therapies by reducing arthritis side effects while preserving anti-cancer benefits.
How similar studies have gone: Early studies have linked PD-1 inhibition to joint inflammation, with initial data suggesting a T cell–driven mechanism, but precise pathways are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Sang Taek — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Kim, Sang Taek
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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.