# Small Molecule Metabolites as Predictors and Mediators of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Response

> **NIH NIH F31** · LA JOLLA INSTITUTE FOR IMMUNOLOGY · 2020 · $29,174

## Abstract

Project Summary: This application presents a 3-year predoctoral support structure for the training and
research experience of the applicant, Mr. Ian Mathews, centered around identifying and characterizing small
molecule mediators of cancer immunotherapy outcomes. Through a detailed training plan under sponsor Dr.
Sonia Sharma and co-sponsor Dr. Mohit Jain, the applicant will pursue enrichment in human metabolomics,
large scale biostatistics, tumor immunology, academic networking skills, and scientific rigor and ethics.
Uniquely positioned between the University of California San Diego (Dr. Jain) and the La Jolla Institute for
Allergy and Immunology (Dr. Sharma), this proposal interrogates a multidisciplinary academic niche. This
highly specialized breadth of experiences, with dedicated guidance from both sponsor and co-sponsor, allows
for the applicant’s enrichment as few other graduate student experiences can provide. Both mentors have a
proven track record of collaboration and publication, a proven track record with academic trainees, and are
resolutely dedicated to supporting the applicant in the pursuits of this proposal and his greater academic
career. The applicant aims to 1) validate several newly identified predictive and dynamically regulated small
molecule metabolites detected in biosamples from human immune checkpoint inhibitor patients; these
metabolites strongly associate with the development of immune related adverse events (irAEs) in the patients,
and 2) determine the functional role of these molecules in setting of deleterious chronic inflammation similar to
the phentoypes of the patients. In pursuit of these goals, the applicant will utilize state-of-the-art, high
throughput techniques in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (Jain), as well as novel, clinically relevant
models of irAE inflammation and anti-tumor immunity (Sharma). Taken together, these training experiences,
direct and fulfilling mentor relationships, and innovative research designs will serve as an invaluable foundation
for the applicant’s future post-doctoral academic career.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9840822
- **Project number:** 5F31CA236405-02
- **Recipient organization:** LA JOLLA INSTITUTE FOR IMMUNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ian T. Mathews
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $29,174
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-01-01 → 2020-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9840822

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9840822, Small Molecule Metabolites as Predictors and Mediators of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Response (5F31CA236405-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9840822. Licensed CC0.

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