# Effect of Cyclical Intermittent Hypoxia on Lung Cancer Progression

> **NIH VA I01** · MIAMI VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM · 2023 · —

## Abstract

Objective: To understand why older Veterans are at increased risk of lung cancer. Our overarching goal is to
determine how T regulatory cells (Tregs) and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC), two major immune cells
known to accumulate in lungs as we age, promotes lung cancer progression. Our hypothesis is that (Aim 1) old
mice will have more Tregs and MDSCs in the lung compared to young mice, and this is more pronounced in the
setting of lung cancer; (Aim 2) the increase in Tregs and MDSCs in old mice with cancer will compete for more
nutrients that lead to decreased mTOR function in the surrounding normal lung around the cancer; (Aim 3) that
the increased Tregs in old mice will consume more nutrients (arginine) and further promote lung cancer
progression. Research Design: We will use the same mouse models of lung cancer in the Parent Merit, where
Triple Transgenic KrasG12D+; p53fl/fl; myristoylated p110fl/fl ROSA-gfp (TT-Kpp) mice are injected with cre viruses
(Kras POS mice) and injected with clone cells (Kras NEG mice). The conceptual innovation of this grant is that
we will be the first to explore the interaction between cancerous lung and normal lung in old vs young mice,
specifically the metabolic pathway, mTOR and nutrient competition, arginine, as they both promote an increase
in immunosuppression and the progression of cancer. Methodology: Aim 1: To identify immune cell phenotype
in the lungs of old versus young mice with lung cancer. Primary outcome will be quantitative M-MDSC/TAM/Tregs
in the left lung at early (2 mm) and late (>4 mm) time points. Aim 2: To evaluate the role of the mTOR pathway
on immune and senescent cell populations in old versus young mice with lung cancer. Primary outcome will be
quantitative 4EBP in normal lung surrounding the lung cancer compared to that within the cancer in old vs young
mice. Aim 3: To explore the relationship between MDSCs, ARG1, and arginine levels in old versus young mice
with lung cancer. Primary outcome will be quantitative M-MDSC in the left lung at early (2 mm) and late (>4 mm)
time points. Exploratory: To determine the feasibility of administering inhaled host-directed therapies (HDT)
intended on disrupting SPIRAL using 4D scanner. Findings: First submission. Clinical Relationships: We may
provide evidence how immunosenescence in older patients contribute to lung cancer progression.
Impact/Significance: By understanding Senescence-Provoked Immunometabolic Regulation in Lung Cancer,
we may develop a novel treatment approach to lung cancer: deliver more nutrients to normal, non-cancerous
lung.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10559837
- **Project number:** 3I01BX004872-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** MIAMI VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Diane C Lim
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-01-01 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10559837

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10559837, Effect of Cyclical Intermittent Hypoxia on Lung Cancer Progression (3I01BX004872-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-15 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10559837. Licensed CC0.

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