Award
National Cancer Institute 5R01CA260137-05
Targeting a phosphatidylserine/TAM receptor/PD-L1 axis as a vulnerability in cancer
Recipient
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, United States
Award Amount
$464,525.00
Ceiling
$464,525.00
Awarded
February 05, 2026
Identifier
5R01CA260137-05
This NIH/NCI funded project investigates the role of the PS-TAM receptor-PD-L1 axis in cancer immune evasion. It aims to understand how PS externalization and Mertk-expressing macrophages suppress anti-tumor immunity and to develop therapeutic strategies combining anti-Mertk and anti-PD1 antibodies.
Description
The project focuses on immune checkpoint blockade in cancer, specifically targeting the PS-Mertk-PD-L1 axis. The research involves mechanistic studies and pre-clinical therapeutic testing. Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk (TAM receptors) are receptor tyrosine kinases that regulate inflammation and tissue tolerance. The project hypothesizes that dysregulated phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization in the tumor microenvironment, combined with Mertk-expressing macrophages, suppresses anti-tumor immunity and represents a therapeutic target. Research aims include identifying PS dysregulation, determining Mertk's inhibitory role on macrophages, and evaluating combined anti-Mertk and anti-PD1 antibody therapies in mouse models.