Understanding how inflammation affects the immune environment in tumors
Official title: Investigating the Genesis of Tumor Immune Microenvironment (TIME) as a function of Inflammation
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10993625 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how inflammation affects certain types of breast cancer that don’t have T cells, called 'cold' tumors, to find out why they develop and how treatments like aspirin might help improve responses to immunotherapy for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $481,066 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA270332-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993625 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include breast cancer patients, particularly those with cold tumors or those experiencing chronic inflammation due to conditions like obesity or aging.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with tumors that are already responsive to immunotherapy or those without significant inflammation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how inflammation influences the immune microenvironment in breast cancer, particularly focusing on tumors that lack T cells, known as 'cold' tumors. The study aims to identify the factors that lead to the development of these cold tumors, which are associated with poor treatment outcomes. By using a specific mouse model, researchers will explore the role of systemic inflammation and the effects of treatments like aspirin on tumor development. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could improve immunotherapy responses in breast cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapy in breast cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the immune microenvironment in tumors, but this specific approach to linking inflammation and tumor immunity is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barcellos-Hoff, Mary Helen — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Barcellos-Hoff, Mary Helen
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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.