Understanding how T-Cell Leukemia Hides from the Immune System
Mechanisms of immune evasion in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and its therapeutic implications
This research looks for new ways to help children and young adults with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) by understanding how their cancer avoids the body's immune defenses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141624 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a serious cancer that can be very hard to treat, especially when it comes back. Our goal is to discover why T-ALL cells are able to hide from the immune system, which normally fights off diseases. We are using advanced technologies to examine individual cancer cells and their surroundings from patient samples. This will help us find new weaknesses in the leukemia that we can target with new treatments, potentially including immunotherapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is focused on understanding T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and young adults, particularly those with disease that has relapsed or is resistant to current treatments.
Not a fit: Patients without T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia or those whose disease does not involve immune evasion mechanisms may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and more effective treatments for T-ALL, especially for patients whose disease has returned or is difficult to treat.
How similar studies have performed: While immunotherapy has shown promise in other cancers, comprehensive studies of the T-ALL microenvironment and its immune evasion mechanisms are novel and largely unexplored.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knoechel, Birgit — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Knoechel, Birgit
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 below.