Why some breast tumors resist immunotherapy using lab-grown tumor and immune tissue models
Probing cellular, molecular and biomechanical barriers to immunotherapy in the tumor microenvironment with organotypic in vitro models of the tumor-lympho-immune interface
This project uses lab-grown tumor-and-immune tissue models to find what blocks immunotherapy for people with breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179314 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers grow pieces of patients' breast tumors together with immune cells in a lab device that recreates the tumor microenvironment. The device lets them control physical, molecular, and cellular features to see which factors stop T cells from killing cancer and which treatments can overcome those barriers. The platform is designed for relatively high-throughput testing of many conditions and combinations, including cytokine and checkpoint-based approaches. Early results show these models can mirror key treatment responses and immune-related toxicity signals seen in living systems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer who can provide tumor tissue or blood samples, especially those whose tumors did not respond to prior immunotherapy, are ideal candidates to contribute to this research.
Not a fit: Patients who cannot provide tumor or blood samples or who have cancers other than breast cancer are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help personalize immunotherapy for breast cancer so more patients respond and experience fewer harmful side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Related ex vivo and organotypic tumor-immune models have shown promise in reflecting patient responses, but applying them to guide personalized immunotherapy is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- University of Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Swartz, Melody Ann — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Swartz, Melody Ann
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.