Using targeted therapies to improve treatment outcomes for malignant pleural mesothelioma
Official title: Targeting the Mitochondria to Overcome Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11053605 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by asbestos, by using special medicines that help your immune system fight the cancer better, and it’s for patients who don’t have many treatment choices right now.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | March 16, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $659,626 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA289419-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053605 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma who are considering treatment options involving immune checkpoint inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced-stage mesothelioma who are not candidates for surgery or those with other severe comorbidities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates new treatment strategies for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), a cancer linked to asbestos exposure. The approach focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) by targeting mitochondrial functions in cancer cells. Patients will receive either ICIs or chemotherapy combined with ICIs, followed by surgical removal of the tumor. The goal is to improve survival rates and treatment responses in patients who currently have limited options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve survival rates and quality of life for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating malignant pleural mesothelioma, indicating potential for success with this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ripley, Robert Taylor — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Ripley, Robert Taylor
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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National Mesothelioma Biobank expands patient biospecimen and data sharing for research
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Intraperitoneal CAR T cells for peritoneal mesothelioma
A new approach uses CAR T cells delivered directly into the abdominal cavity to target mesothelioma, aiming to help people whose disease is confined to the abdomen.
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Liquid multiomics to tailor systemic treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma
Researchers are testing liquid biomarkers to help choose personalized treatments for people with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
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New ways to make mesothelioma treatment work better
This project looks at whether common antidepressant drugs plus a drug that blocks Mcl-1 can help chemotherapy work better for people with malignant mesothelioma.
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Targeting mitochondria to help immunotherapy work better for pleural mesothelioma
The team will try medicines that change cancer cell mitochondria to help immunotherapy work better for people with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
-
Tumor-targeted imaging and alpha-particle therapy for mesothelioma
This project develops an antibody-based imaging approach and a targeted alpha-particle therapy to find and kill mesothelioma tumors, including hard-to-treat sarcomatoid cases.
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.