Using KRAS inhibitors to help the immune system destroy cancer cells
KRAS inhibitors prime cancer cells for macrophage-mediated destruction
This study is looking at how combining two treatments—KRAS inhibitors and anti-CD47 antibodies—can help boost the immune system to better fight KRAS mutant cancers, aiming to find a more effective option for patients who have few choices right now.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Res NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11088725 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how KRAS inhibitors, which are designed to block cancer growth signals, can be combined with anti-CD47 antibodies to enhance the immune system's ability to target and destroy KRAS mutant cancer cells. The approach focuses on activating macrophages, a type of immune cell that can engulf and eliminate cancer cells. By using a specialized laboratory technique to observe the interaction between these treatments and cancer cells, the researchers aim to find a more effective therapy for patients with KRAS mutations. This could lead to improved outcomes for patients who currently have limited treatment options.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with cancers that have KRAS mutations.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that do not have KRAS mutations may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, more effective treatment option for patients with KRAS mutant cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in combining targeted therapies with immunotherapy, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Res — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weiskopf, Kipp a — Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Res
- Study coordinator: Weiskopf, Kipp a
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.