Understanding Immune Cells in Lung Tumors
Project 4
This research looks at how certain immune cells in lung tumors become immunosuppressive and how we might change them to fight cancer better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11128787 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Lung cancer cells and immune cells within tumors experience stress, leading to a process called the unfolded protein response (UPR). This UPR helps cells adapt and survive in the harsh tumor environment. We want to understand how a specific part of the UPR, called PERK, influences immune cells known as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). These MDSCs often block the body's ability to fight cancer, and current treatments to reduce them have limitations. By studying how PERK affects MDSCs, we hope to find new ways to make these immune cells more effective at fighting lung tumors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for patients with lung cancer, as it aims to understand the disease at a cellular level to inform future therapies.
Not a fit: Patients not diagnosed with lung cancer or related conditions would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reprogram immune cells to better fight lung cancer, potentially improving the effectiveness of immunotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of MDSCs in cancer is known, this specific approach to targeting the PERK pathway for metabolic reprogramming of MDSCs is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rodriguez, Paulo Cesar — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Rodriguez, Paulo Cesar
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.