Understanding how TBK1 affects immune responses in cancer treatment
Official title: Dissecting the tumor-intrinsic and -extrinsic roles of TBK1 in tumor immunity
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10880605 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called TBK1 affects the way our immune system fights cancer, especially for people who haven't had much success with current treatments, to see if targeting TBK1 can help boost their immune response and improve their treatment results.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $594,912 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA283560-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10880605 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with cancers that have shown resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that are not treated with immune checkpoint blockade therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) in cancer immunity, particularly how it influences the effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade therapies. By using genetic and pharmacologic methods, the study aims to determine how targeting TBK1 can enhance the immune response against tumors, especially in patients who have not responded well to existing therapies. The research will explore the interactions between TBK1 in cancer cells and immune cells, focusing on how this can lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients with various cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments by overcoming resistance to current immunotherapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting immune evasion mechanisms in cancer, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jenkins, Russell William — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Jenkins, Russell William
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.