Using a special imaging technique to improve cancer immunotherapy for lung cancer patients
Official title: Clinical translation of a PD-L1 PET tracer to optimize immune checkpoint therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancers
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11113811 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to improve treatment for people with non-small cell lung cancer by creating a special imaging tool that helps doctors see how well your immune system is responding to therapy, so they can tailor the treatment just for you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | June 14, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $693,779 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA269235-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11113811 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer who are considering or currently undergoing immune checkpoint therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of lung cancer or those who are not eligible for immune checkpoint therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the effectiveness of immune checkpoint therapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer by developing a PET imaging tracer that can better identify which patients are likely to respond to treatment. The approach involves using advanced imaging techniques to evaluate the immune response in the body, allowing for more personalized and timely immunotherapy. By incorporating multiple biomarkers and utilizing PET scans, the study seeks to overcome the limitations of traditional biopsy methods, which can be invasive and may not provide a complete picture of the tumor's behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and tailored immunotherapy treatments for lung cancer patients, improving their chances of survival.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using imaging techniques to guide cancer treatment, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nimmagadda, Sridhar — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Nimmagadda, Sridhar
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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.