Understanding how immune reactions occur after cancer treatment
Official title: Mechanisms of CD4 autoreactivity after checkpoint inhibition
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11129820 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cancer treatments can sometimes cause unexpected immune reactions in patients, and it aims to find out why this happens so that doctors can better manage these side effects and identify who might be more likely to experience them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 2, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $202,320 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178321-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129820 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who are being treated with PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors and may be at risk for developing immune-related adverse events.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving PD-1 blockade therapy or those with conditions unrelated to the immune response may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that can occur after treatment with PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients. By establishing a large, prospective cohort of patients undergoing PD-1 blockade therapy, the study aims to identify the antigenic targets of autoimmunity and understand how these adverse reactions develop. The research will track patients before and after treatment to gather comprehensive data on immune responses and their effects on cancer treatment outcomes. This approach seeks to improve therapeutic management and predict which patients may be at risk for these immune-related complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better management strategies for patients experiencing adverse immune reactions, potentially improving their overall treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding immune responses in cancer therapy can lead to significant advancements in treatment management, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laufer, Terri M. — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Laufer, Terri M.
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.