Using radiation to enhance cancer immunotherapy
Official title: Precision use of radiation for in situ cancer immunization
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11113410 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how radiation therapy might help make cancer immunotherapy work better for patients with tumors that have changes in the p53 gene, by figuring out how radiation can boost the immune system's response to fight the cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 12, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $237,724 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA292282-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11113410 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with tumors that have mutations in the p53 gene and are undergoing or considering immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not have p53 mutations or who are not candidates for immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how radiation therapy can be used to improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy, particularly for patients with tumors that have mutations in the p53 gene. The approach focuses on understanding how radiation can activate specific immune pathways within cancer cells, potentially leading to better immune responses against tumors. By identifying the factors that influence the success of this combination treatment, the research aims to optimize radiation therapy to make it more beneficial for patients undergoing immunotherapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment outcomes for cancer patients by enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been mixed results in previous studies combining radiation with immunotherapy, this research aims to explore a novel approach focusing on the p53 gene, which has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Demaria, Sandra — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Demaria, Sandra
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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.