Using radiation to enhance cancer immunotherapy

Precision use of radiation for in situ cancer immunization

NIH-funded research Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11113410

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 typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWeill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11113410 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with tumors that have mutations in the p53 gene and are undergoing or considering immunotherapy.

Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not have p53 mutations or who are not candidates for immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Breast Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.