Using advanced imaging to track immune cell responses to cancer treatment
Official title: Dual-isotope SPECT imaging and immunophenotyping of immune cells to determine response to immunotherapy
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11011345 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new imaging technique that helps doctors see how certain immune cells are reacting to cancer treatments in patients with advanced melanoma and kidney cancer, which could help identify who is benefiting from the therapy without needing painful biopsies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | February 7, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $687,157 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA269349-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011345 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with metastatic melanoma or renal cell carcinoma who are undergoing immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancer or those not receiving immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how dual-isotope SPECT imaging can be used to visualize and assess the response of immune cells, specifically cytotoxic T cells and tumor-associated macrophages, to immunotherapy in patients with metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. By developing non-invasive imaging techniques, the study aims to provide a better understanding of how these immune cells interact within the tumor microenvironment and to identify which patients are responding to treatment. This approach could potentially replace the need for invasive biopsies and help avoid unnecessary toxicity in non-responders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized and effective cancer treatments by accurately identifying which patients are benefiting from immunotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques to monitor immune responses, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kluger, Harriet M. — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Kluger, Harriet M.
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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.