NIH-funded research R37 grant

Understanding how STING affects T cell death and cancer immunity

Official title: Deciphering the Roles of STING-Mediated T cell Pyroptosis in Antitumor Immunity

Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-10854276 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how a protein called STING affects the immune system's ability to fight cancer, especially how it can help or hinder T cells, which are important for battling tumors, to find out why some cancer treatments don't work as well as they should and to discover new ways to improve those treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR37 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cleveland, United States)
Project startJuly 1, 2024
Project endJune 30, 2029
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$467,502
NIH project number1R37CA288747-01
Project IDNIH-10854276 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that are resistant to existing immunotherapies, particularly those involving T cell therapies.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those whose tumors are not influenced by STING-mediated pathways may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of the STING protein in the immune response against tumors, particularly focusing on how it can both activate and inhibit T cells, which are crucial for fighting cancer. By studying the mechanisms of STING-mediated cell death in T cells within the tumor microenvironment, the research aims to uncover why some cancer treatments fail. The approach involves analyzing how STING activation influences various immune cells and their interactions in the presence of tumors. This could lead to new strategies to enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cancer treatments by overcoming resistance to current therapies.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting immune pathways like STING can enhance antitumor responses, indicating potential for success in this area.

Where this research is happening

  • Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
    Cleveland, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Wu, Jianjun — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
  • Study coordinator: Wu, Jianjun

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.