Understanding why some lung cancers don't respond to immunotherapy
Neutrophil derived proteinases abolish the IFNG signature in NSCLC
This project aims to understand why many non-small cell lung cancer patients do not benefit from current immune-boosting treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11118892 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
For patients with non-small cell lung cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies are very effective for some, but not all. This project explores why certain lung cancers, particularly those with many neutrophils, might not respond well to these treatments. Researchers believe that proteins released by these neutrophils break down important signals that help immune cells fight the tumor. We will use advanced lab models and mouse models to show how these neutrophil proteins interfere with the immune response, hoping to find new ways to make immunotherapy work for more patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer, especially those whose tumors have not responded to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, are the focus of this research.
Not a fit: Patients with other cancer types or those whose non-small cell lung cancer has responded well to current immunotherapy may not directly benefit from this specific line of inquiry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies or combination therapies to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer patients who currently do not respond.
How similar studies have performed: While immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown success in a subset of patients, this specific mechanism involving neutrophil proteinases degrading immune signals in NSCLC is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Houghton, a Mcgarry — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Houghton, a Mcgarry
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.