Understanding how T-cells and antigens interact in cancer treatment
Official title: Systems Biology of Antigen and T-Cell Transport in Cancer Immunotherapy
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10874773 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how immune cells called T-cells work with other immune cells to fight cancer, especially in lymph nodes, to find ways to make cancer treatments more effective for more patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $463,816 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA284603-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10874773 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who are considering or currently undergoing immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not involve T-cell mediated immune responses or those who are not eligible for immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which T-cells, a type of immune cell, interact with antigens presented by other immune cells in the context of cancer immunotherapy. The study focuses on how these interactions occur in lymph nodes, which are critical for initiating effective immune responses against tumors. By exploring the dynamics of T-cell activation and the role of antigen-presenting cells, the research aims to identify factors that could enhance the effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockers, which are currently only beneficial for a small percentage of cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for predicting which patients will respond to cancer immunotherapy, potentially increasing the effectiveness of treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding T-cell activation and its implications for cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Padera, Timothy P — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Padera, Timothy P
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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.