Understanding how tumor cells sense nucleic acids to influence immune responses against cancer

Delineating how nucleic acid sensing in tumorcells regulate anti-tumor immune responses

NIH-funded research University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11085254

This study is looking at how cancer cells sense their own genetic material and how that affects the body's immune response to fight cancer, with the goal of finding better ways to boost cancer treatments that use the immune system.

Quick facts

Grant typeP01 program project
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pennsylvania NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11085254 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how tumor cells detect nucleic acids and how this detection affects the immune system's response to cancer. It focuses on the role of specific pathways activated by DNA damage in cancer cells, which can either promote or inhibit anti-tumor immunity. By studying these mechanisms, the research aims to uncover how to enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies that rely on the immune system. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to improved immunotherapy strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that exhibit chromosomal instability and may benefit from immunotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients with cancers that do not involve significant DNA damage responses or chromosomal instability may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments by harnessing the immune system to fight tumors.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses to DNA damage in cancer, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions anti-cancer immunotherapyanti-cancer therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.