Award
National Cancer Institute 5R01CA283953-04
Early response to radiotherapy and immunotherapy in rectal cancer: an integrated molecular, cellular, and spatial approach
Recipient
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Award Amount
$654,115.00
Ceiling
$654,115.00
Awarded
July 10, 2026
Identifier
5R01CA283953-04
This NIH/NCI funded project aims to understand early immunobiological responses to short course radiation therapy combined with αCD40 immunotherapy in rectal cancer, using advanced molecular and spatial techniques to improve therapeutic outcomes.
Description
The project involves developing an integrated approach to assess early biopsy tissue after short course radiation therapy to improve therapeutic response understanding in rectal cancer. It includes performing single cell RNA sequencing, multiplexed immunofluorescence, deep learning from histopathologic tissue, and analyzing early changes across RT and αCD40 treated groups. The goal is to identify therapeutic opportunities and establish immunologic signaling events triggered by SCRT in combination with αCD40 immunotherapy.