Previously Funded Research

Lloyd Bod, PhD

Massachusetts General Hospital 

Research Project:

Harnessing B cell specific checkpoint molecules in lung cancer

Summary:

Immunotherapy has transformed the paradigm of lung cancer treatment, yet its efficacy remains restricted, benefiting only a minority of patients—typically, two to four individuals out of every ten. Dr. Bod’s research focuses on unraveling the functions of B cells, a critical component of the immune system. These cells are abundant in lung tissue and hold the capacity to assist T cells in their anti-cancer activities while directly combatting cancer cells themselves. This translational project’s objective is to leverage genomics to identify and assess new molecules present on B cells, which could serve as innovative immunotherapy targets, thereby paving the way for new therapeutic strategies in lung cancer.

This project was awarded the James B. Dougherty, MD Award for Scientific Merit acknowledging the investigator whose proposal was selected for outstanding overall merit by LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board.

“This award fuels our quest to explore B cells in lung cancer, aiming to unlock groundbreaking treatments. I’m deeply grateful for the recognition.”

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1-year update: spring 2025

What he’s doing:
Dr. Bod is harnessing the power of immune cells to fight lung cancer, specifically by targeting B cells and a molecule called Tim-1.

How it’s going:
Tim-1 plays a critical role in suppressing immune responses, and by inhibiting this checkpoint, Dr. Bod is enhancing the body’s ability to fight cancer. In animal models, combining Tim-1 inhibitors with PD-L1 inhibitors—a key component of current immunotherapies—has shown promising results in improving anti-cancer effects.

What it could mean for patients:
This research is still in its early stages, but the potential for this combination therapy to boost immunotherapy effectiveness could offer new hope for lung cancer patients, especially those whose cancers are resistant to current treatments.