# Studying the Role of Aneuploidy in Cancer Immune Evasion

> **NIH NIH R00** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $248,999

## Abstract

SUMMARY
The long-term objective of this project is to elucidate the role of cancer-related aneuploidy (i.e. the presence of
an abnormal karyotype) during tumorigenesis and, specifically, in cancer immune evasion. Aneuploidy is a
hallmark of human solid tumors and mounting evidence, both from mouse models and human cancers,
suggests that aneuploidy represents a driver event during tumorigenesis. Despite this evidence, the role of
aneuploidy in cancer is not well understood. We performed a bioinformatic analysis comparing the
transcriptomes of primary tumor samples containing high versus low levels of aneuploidy. Tumors with high
aneuploidy displayed a strong decrease in the degree of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, including markers of
CD8+ T cells, NK cells, and B cells. Based on this analysis and other data, we hypothesize that cancer-
associated aneuploidy contributes to tumorigenesis by promoting cancer immune evasion. The proposed
research project will examine the role of aneuploidy in the regulation of tumor immune infiltrate and in cancer
immune escape. Specifically, we will first investigate the effects of aneuploidy on antigen
processing/presentation and on promoting resistance to CD8+ T cells-mediated cytotoxic activities. Secondly,
we will study the effect of aneuploidy on tumor immune escape, by utilizing syngeneic tumor mouse models.
Two mentors with complementary research skills will supervise the mentored phase of this proposal: Dr.
Stephen Elledge, an expert in genetics and functional genomics, and Dr. Kai Wucherpfennig, an expert in
cancer immunology and T cell biology. Their guidance will be imperative to the success of this project and to
propel me into an independent research career. The proposed research has the potential (i) to improve our
ability to predict the likelihood of a patient response to current immunotherapies for better, rational decision-
making about treatment options; and (ii) to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer immune
evasion to improve current strategies and envision new potential therapeutic opportunities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9983648
- **Project number:** 5R00CA212621-05
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Teresa Davoli
- **Activity code:** R00 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $248,999
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-06-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9983648

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9983648, Studying the Role of Aneuploidy in Cancer Immune Evasion (5R00CA212621-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9983648. Licensed CC0.

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