# Finding Synergy with Radiation Therapy and Immunotherapy for Patients with Lung Cancer

> **NIH NIH K08** · H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CTR & RES INST · 2020 · $238,752

## Abstract

7. PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The proposed career development training award will provide the candidate, Dr. Bradford Perez, with an
excellent opportunity to establish as an independent clinical/translational investigator. As part of his translational
effort he seeks to characterize tumor infiltrating immune cells to understand mechanism of synergy with
radiation and immunotherapy combinations with a specific interest and plan to further evaluate anti-41bb
therapy in conjunction with radiation therapy. An improved understanding of this mechanism is critical to
robust and successful implementation of combined modality strategies in the clinic. The work proposed as part
of this award application will also allow Dr. Perez to grow and establish independence as a clinical investigator.
He currently serves as the principal investigator for an ongoing investigator initiated clinical trial for patients with
extensive stage small cell lung cancer. With the support of a strong mentorship team, he was able to draft the
protocol and navigate the necessary regulatory infrastructure to enroll patients on this Phase I/II trial. The
human tissue samples (serial peripheral blood and tumor samples) collected as part of this ongoing trial will be
thoroughly analyzed as part of Research Aim 2 to help understand the precise mechanism by which RT
modulates the immune system. Through an improved understanding, future clinical studies as proposed in
Research Aim 3 can be rationally designed to maximize the opportunity for synergy with radiation and
immunotherapy.
The application includes a robust plan that highlights Dr. Perez's limitations in prior training with a didactic
program that is specifically designed overcome knowledge gaps in the fields of cancer immunity/immunotherapy
and early stage clinical trial design. In working to establish independence, the final training aim includes
dedicated career development focus on grant writing and publications. This training will help Dr. Perez to master
the necessary skills crucial to success as an independent investigator.
Drs. Antonia, Conejo-Garcia and Schell will closely advise and oversee Dr. Perez's career development and
represent a team of international experts in the field of cancer clinical and translational investigation. The
proposed training in this K08 NCI Mentored Clinical Scientist training grant for patient oriented research will
allow Dr. Perez to transition to an independent clinical and translational researcher.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9939486
- **Project number:** 5K08CA231454-02
- **Recipient organization:** H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CTR & RES INST
- **Principal Investigator:** Bradford A. Perez
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $238,752
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9939486

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9939486, Finding Synergy with Radiation Therapy and Immunotherapy for Patients with Lung Cancer (5K08CA231454-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9939486. Licensed CC0.

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