Understanding Immune Changes in Autoimmune Reactions from Cancer Therapy
Immune cell states in endocrine immune related adverse events (IRAEs)
This project looks at how immune cells change in people who develop autoimmune reactions after receiving certain cancer treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11190808 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are powerful cancer treatments, but they can sometimes cause the immune system to overreact and attack healthy tissues, leading to conditions called immune-related adverse events (IRAEs). These IRAEs can affect glands like the thyroid, pancreas, and pituitary, similar to an accelerated autoimmune disease. We want to understand why these reactions happen so quickly and what specific immune cells, called T cells, are involved. By studying these cells in patients and in models, we hope to find ways to prevent or slow down these autoimmune responses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who have developed or are at risk of developing autoimmune side effects, particularly affecting endocrine glands, after receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor cancer therapy would be ideal.
Not a fit: Patients not receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor cancer therapy or those without autoimmune side effects from these treatments would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat autoimmune side effects in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific mechanisms are still being uncovered, other research has shown that immune checkpoint inhibitors can trigger various autoimmune responses, making this a critical area of ongoing investigation.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lechner, Melissa G — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Lechner, Melissa G
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.