Funding Cuts Threaten Cancer Immunotherapies
Researcher Miriam Merad warns that NIH funding cuts could hinder life-saving cancer research, particularly in the development of new immune cell-based therapies.
Macrophages, known as the body's "guardians," play a crucial role in detecting and clearing damage from organs and tissues. However, they can also weaken inflammation, undermining immune cells that attack tumor cells.
By weakening inflammation, macrophages can undermine immune cells that attack tumor cells.
The Challenge
Oncologist Miriam Merad is dedicated to understanding how to adapt the powers of immune cells, including T cells and macrophages, to improve current immunotherapies. The scientific challenge is significant, and funding cuts pose an additional obstacle.
- 40% of National Institutes of Health grant dollars are being cut.
- These cuts concern Merad, director of the Precision Immunology Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Author's summary: Funding cuts threaten cancer research progress.