Understanding how T cell receptors recognize tumor antigens
Official title: MATCHMAKERS - Solving T-cell receptor recognition and design via integrated high-throughput screening and structural, functional and computational approaches
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11046726 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how T cells, which help fight cancer, recognize specific markers on tumors, with the goal of making cancer treatments more effective for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $233,863 |
| NIH project number | 1OT2CA297514-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046726 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with various types of cancers, particularly those who may benefit from antigen-specific immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-malignant conditions or those not eligible for immunotherapy may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how T cell receptors (TCRs) identify tumor antigens presented by MHC molecules, which is crucial for enhancing immunotherapy effectiveness. By integrating machine learning with extensive data on TCR-pMHC pairs, the project aims to develop accurate predictors of TCR-antigen recognition. The research involves generating large datasets from both human and mouse models and utilizing advanced molecular engineering techniques to improve TCR matching. This collaborative effort combines expertise from immunology, structural biology, and computational methods to advance personalized cancer treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized immunotherapies for cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using machine learning and structural data to enhance TCR recognition, indicating a potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dekosky, Brandon James — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Dekosky, Brandon James
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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.