Federal Grant Award Summary

Oregon Health & Science University received a $401,115 Project Grant award from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under the Cancer Treatment Research program (CFDA 93.395) on July 10, 2026, with a completion date of June 30, 2028. The award funds development of a patient-derived intestinal organoid system to model gastrointestinal toxicity associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)—monoclonal antibodies targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4 receptors used in cancer immunotherapy. The research addresses a critical clinical gap: while ICIs improve survival in metastatic cancer patients, immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) occur in over 85% of treated patients, with colitis being the most common severe complication, occurring in up to 45% of patients on dual PD-1/CTLA-4 blockade.

The grant supports research utilizing air-liquid interface (ALI) organoid cultures derived from human colon mucosa to create a holistic model of ICI-related colitis. This advanced in vitro system preserves heterogeneous epithelial and immune components reflective of human disease, enabling investigation of how ICI therapy stimulates specific immune cell populations implicated in toxicity, including CD8 tissue-resident memory T cells and CD4 effector cells. Deliverables include the development and validation of this preclinical research model, which may facilitate identification of biomarkers and therapeutic strategies to mitigate severe gastrointestinal toxicities without compromising anti-tumor immune responses, thereby improving patient outcomes and enabling continued cancer treatment.