Why cancer immunotherapy causes autoimmune side effects
A systematic approach to uncover the basic mechanisms of checkpoint inhibitor immune related adverse events
The team will look for the causes of immune-related side effects in people treated with PD-1 or CTLA-4 cancer immunotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252871 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare immune cells, T cell receptors, and genetic risk factors from people who do and do not develop immune-related side effects after checkpoint inhibitor treatment. They will look for patterns that show when a normal anti-tumor immune response also attacks healthy organs and how preexisting autoimmune susceptibility genes contribute. Lab experiments and animal models will be used to test which mechanisms drive specific organ inflammation. The aim is to map different causes of these side effects so care can be better personalized.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with cancer who are receiving or have received PD-1 or CTLA-4 checkpoint inhibitor therapy, especially those who develop immune-related side effects.
Not a fit: People not treated with checkpoint inhibitors or whose symptoms come from unrelated causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help predict who is at higher risk for immune-related side effects and guide safer prevention or treatment strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has linked genetic risk and T cell cross-reactivity to some immune toxicities, but a comprehensive, systematic explanation of different irAE mechanisms remains novel.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mor, Adam — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Mor, Adam
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.