Using a new approach to enhance immune response in Small Cell Lung Cancer
Official title: Targeting DHX9 to trigger viral mimicry and immunotherapy responsiveness in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Funded at Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr · NIH-10981356 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to boost immunotherapy for people with Small Cell Lung Cancer by targeting a protein called DHX9, which could help turn less responsive tumors into ones that the immune system can better fight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $649,679 |
| NIH project number | 1R37CA283552-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10981356 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer who have not responded well to existing immunotherapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who have not been diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel method to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy in patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) by targeting a specific protein called DHX9. By inhibiting DHX9, the researchers aim to trigger an immune response that can transform 'cold' tumors into 'hot' tumors, making them more responsive to treatment. The approach involves inducing the production of viral-like nucleic acids within cancer cells, which can stimulate the body's immune system to attack the tumor. Patients may be monitored for changes in tumor behavior and immune response as part of this innovative treatment strategy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer by enhancing their immune response against tumors.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting DHX9 is novel, similar strategies that enhance immune responses in cancer have shown promise in preliminary studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Canadas, Israel — Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Canadas, Israel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting DHX9 to boost viral-like immune response in Small Cell Lung Cancer
A scientist team is testing whether blocking a protein called DHX9 can make aggressive small cell lung cancer more visible to the immune system and more responsive to immunotherapy.
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Blocking DHX9 to wake the immune system against small cell lung cancer
The team will block a protein called DHX9 in small cell lung cancer to trigger virus-like signals in tumors so they may respond better to immunotherapy.
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Targeting GARP-TGFβ to Improve Immunotherapy in NSCLC
A new antibody approach aims to block a key TGFβ-related pathway in the tumor environment to help people with non-small cell lung cancer respond better to therapy.
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Integrated blood and radiomics to guide immunotherapy in metastatic NSCLC
A research project aims to use blood tests and advanced imaging patterns to personalize first-line immunotherapy choices for people with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
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Blocking a tumor pathway to boost immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer
This project will see if adding a drug that blocks the Hedgehog pathway to immune checkpoint therapy helps people with non-small cell lung cancer by restoring the immune system's CD8 T cells inside tumors.
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Improving Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer with CT Scans
This work aims to find new ways to predict which non-small cell lung cancer patients will respond best to immunotherapy using information from their routine CT scans.
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.