UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Brian C. Miller, MD, PhD, was named a 2024 V Foundation V Scholar. The honor includes a three-year $600,000 grant, which will support his research focused on making cancer immunotherapy more effective.
“Our team is studying the metabolic needs of immune cells found in tumors so that we can better activate the immune system to fight cancer,” said Miller, an assistant professor of medicine and genetics at UNC School of Medicine.
Specifically, they are investigating approaches to target macrophages, a type of white blood cell and an essential immune system component. Studies have shown that macrophages found in a tumor can shut down the immune response and stop it from killing cancer cells.
Miller and his research team aim to exploit a weakness they discovered in macrophages. They determined that preventing macrophages from taking in folate (a type of vitamin) will lead to their death. The V Scholar grant will support the study of patient samples and a mouse model they created to determine why macrophages need folate. Insights from this research could lead to approaches to boost the immune response against tumors.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded over $353 million in game-changing cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations are awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to accelerating Victory Over Cancer®. To learn more, visit v.org.