Why immune T cells stop working in lung cancer
Understanding the induction of T cell dysfunction in the context of lung cancer
['FUNDING_R37'] · MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · NIH-11286806
The team is looking at why immune T cells lose their cancer-fighting ability in some lung cancers so immunotherapy can help more people.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R37'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CAMBRIDGE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11286806 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have lung cancer, this project focuses on why CD8+ T cells that enter tumors sometimes stop functioning and fail to clear cancer. Researchers at MIT use a combination of lab studies and a mouse model of KRAS-driven, p53-deficient lung adenocarcinoma that mirrors a human subtype resistant to checkpoint immunotherapy. They examine the tumor immune microenvironment and the signals that induce T cell dysfunction to find what blocks effective immune responses. The goal is to identify targets or strategies that could be tested later to restore T cell activity and improve immunotherapy outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially tumors with KRAS mutations and p53 loss or patients being considered for checkpoint immunotherapy, are most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors lack any T-cell infiltration or whose cancers are driven by unrelated mechanisms may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new ways to restore T-cell function and make immunotherapy effective for more lung cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Checkpoint blockade therapies have achieved durable responses in some patients, but resistance in KRAS/p53-driven lung tumors is not well understood and this project explores a relatively novel mechanism.
Where this research is happening
CAMBRIDGE, UNITED STATES
- MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY — CAMBRIDGE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SPRANGER, STEFANI — MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- Study coordinator: SPRANGER, STEFANI
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.