Using gasdermin activation to enhance anti-cancer immune responses
Official title: Activating gasdermin pores to induce pyroptosis and stimulate anti-tumor immunity
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11066484 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help your immune system fight cancer by using special proteins that can trigger a specific type of cell death, which may make existing treatments work better and help your body recognize and attack tumors more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 4, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $733,069 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA287076-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11066484 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that are currently resistant to standard immunotherapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those whose tumors are already effectively treated by existing therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to cancer immunotherapy by targeting gasdermin proteins to induce a specific type of cell death known as pyroptosis. By activating these proteins, the study aims to stimulate the immune system to better recognize and attack tumors. The methodology involves understanding how gasdermins can trigger inflammatory responses that enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer treatments, particularly those that utilize checkpoint blockade. Patients may benefit from a more effective and predictable immune response against their cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that harness the body's immune system to fight tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in using immunogenic cell death to enhance anti-tumor immunity, suggesting that this approach could be a significant advancement in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Hao — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Wu, Hao
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.