Understanding how natural killer cells influence immune responses to cancer
Official title: Dissecting the immunomodulatory effects of NK cells on immune responses to cancer
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-10878615 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special immune cells called natural killer (NK) cells can help boost cancer treatments, especially when used with therapies like anti-PD-1, to make them work better for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $530,015 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA283080-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10878615 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancer who have not responded well to current immunotherapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that are not amenable to immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of natural killer (NK) cells in enhancing immune responses against cancer, particularly in conjunction with existing therapies like anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. The study aims to identify how NK cells can improve the effectiveness of these treatments by regulating the presence of specific immune cells in the tumor environment. By examining the production of certain cytokines by NK cells, the research seeks to uncover new therapeutic targets that could lead to better patient outcomes. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more effective cancer treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cancer therapies that enhance patient responses to existing immunotherapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in enhancing cancer treatment outcomes by targeting immune cell interactions, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barry, Kevin C — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Barry, Kevin C
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.