Understanding how immune therapies can cause harmful side effects
Official title: A systematic approach to uncover the basic mechanisms of checkpoint inhibitor immune related adverse events
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11001521 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some cancer patients who receive immune treatments experience unwanted side effects, hoping to find out if certain genes make some people more likely to have these issues, so we can better manage their care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | January 20, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $715,543 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI175498-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001521 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who are being treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and may be at risk for developing immune-related adverse events.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors or those with conditions unrelated to cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that occur in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for cancer treatment. The team aims to identify the genetic factors that predispose certain individuals to these side effects and to understand how the immune response to cancer can inadvertently lead to inflammation in healthy tissues. By analyzing patient samples and utilizing animal models, the researchers hope to uncover the underlying causes of these adverse events, which could lead to improved patient management and treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help reduce the incidence and severity of harmful side effects in cancer patients receiving immune therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune-related adverse events, but this study aims to explore novel mechanisms that have not been fully characterized.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mor, Adam — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Mor, Adam
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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.