What makes lung and pancreatic cancers grow and how the immune system recognizes them
Studying factors controlling cancer progression and immune recognition in mouse models
MIT researchers will use engineered mouse models, human tumor samples, and tools like single-cell and spatial gene profiling plus CRISPR to learn how lung and pancreatic cancers evolve and interact with the immune system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173809 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be hearing about research that combines genetically engineered mice with analysis of human tumor samples to map how tumors and immune cells change over time. The team will use single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to see which genes are active in different cells and locations inside tumors. Genes and pathways found this way will be tested using CRISPR, organoid models, and in native mouse tumors to see which ones drive growth or affect immune recognition. The results will be compared with human datasets to find targets that might one day guide new treatments or diagnostics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with lung adenocarcinoma or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who can donate tumor tissue, join linked clinical datasets, or be enrolled in related translational studies.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers outside of lung or pancreas, or those seeking immediate changes to their care, are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this preclinical-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets or biomarkers that help improve immune-based treatments or earlier detection for lung and pancreatic cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Related efforts using mouse models, single-cell and spatial profiling, and CRISPR have produced important biological insights, although turning those findings into new patient treatments usually requires further work.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jacks, Tyler E. — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Jacks, Tyler E.
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.