Understanding how tumors resist immune therapy in certain cancers
Immune Exclusion in Cancer Immunotherapy
This study is looking into why some patients with head and neck cancer don’t respond well to a type of treatment called immune-checkpoint inhibitors, focusing on how certain cells and signals in the tumor might be making it harder for the immune system to fight the cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10884273 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates why many patients with solid tumors do not respond to immune-checkpoint inhibitors, a type of cancer treatment. It focuses on the tumor microenvironment, particularly the role of CD8+ T cells and specific molecular targets like p38 MAPK, which may contribute to resistance against immunotherapy. By studying head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that is not associated with HPV, the researchers aim to establish connections between tumor signaling pathways and immune response. The project will utilize advanced techniques to analyze tumor biology and its interaction with the immune system.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who do not have HPV infection.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that are not head and neck squamous cell carcinoma or those who are HPV-positive may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved immunotherapy strategies for patients with advanced cancers, enhancing their chances of treatment response.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in understanding immune resistance mechanisms in cancer, but this specific approach focusing on p38 MAPK in HPV-negative tumors is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bao, Riyue — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Bao, Riyue
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.