Understanding Immune Cells for Better Cancer Immunotherapy
Regulation of stem-like CD8+ T cells and their role in immunotherapy
This work explores special immune cells, called stem-like CD8+ T cells, to learn how they help fight cancer and improve treatments like immunotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11078211 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Immunotherapy, which uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer, has helped many patients, but it doesn't work for everyone. We are looking closely at specific immune cells found in tumors, called CD8+ T cells, to understand why some patients respond well to immunotherapy and others do not. Our goal is to identify and understand the 'stem-like' CD8+ T cells that are crucial for a strong anti-cancer response. By learning how these cells work and what controls them, we hope to find new ways to make immunotherapy more effective for more people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant for cancer patients receiving or considering immune checkpoint blockade therapies, particularly those with melanoma, lung, or renal cancer.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers do not typically respond to immune checkpoint blockade or those not undergoing such treatments may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies to enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies, potentially improving outcomes for patients who currently do not respond.
How similar studies have performed: Immune checkpoint blockade has shown durable responses in various cancers, but understanding the specific immune cells that drive these responses is an ongoing area of active investigation.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anderson, Ana C — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Anderson, Ana C
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.