26 January 2026
Chronic inflammation has been implicated in tumor progression, immune evasion, and therapy resistance through inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFNα) and the activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5).
TLR5, a well-characterized PRR, plays a dual role in cancer. Acute TLR5 activation enhances innate immune function, promotes long-term anti-tumor memory T cell responses, and improves the efficacy of immunotherapy. In contrast, it has been observed that chronic TLR5 signaling impairs dendritic cell differentiation, promotes the expansion of immunosuppressive myeloid subsets, reduces CD8+ T cell function, and ultimately limits the effectiveness of checkpoint therapies. Preclinical studies suggest that TLR5 inhibition may reduce tumor growth and help overcome immune resistance in selected patient populations. Despite this promising evidence, there are currently no active clinical or preclinical TLR5 inhibitor programs in oncology indications.
The availability of predictive in vitro and ex vivo human and mouse models of chronic inflammation is crucial to explore the role of TLR5 in tumor immune evasion, identify patient populations that could benefit from TLR5 inhibition, and decipher the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Through our new call on opnMe, we encourage proposals that address the following question:
Using suitable models, how would you propose to validate the role of TLR5 in cancer immune evasion associated with chronic inflammation?
We invite hypothesis-driven proposals that investigate the seemingly opposing roles of TLR5 in inflammatory processes in the context of oncology indications. As an incentive specific to this opnMe call, we offer exclusive access to custom biological tools and reagents, in particular well-characterized TLR5 antagonists, from Boehringer’s research activities to validate submitted hypotheses.
Proposals will be reviewed by the Boehringer Ingelheim’s Oncology Research team. Should your project become selected, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with our scientists and benefit from their experience in drug discovery. In addition, you would have the chance to receive funding of up to 300,000 euros, which includes direct, indirect, and overhead costs.
Submit your ideas now! Proposals will only be accepted if received through March 17, 2026, 11:59 pm PST.
No registration required
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About our opn2EXPERTS question:
Using suitable models, how would you propose to validate the role of TLR5 in cancer immune evasion associated with chronic inflammation? With ambitious questions such as this, we share precisely formulated scientific questions with the research community as part of our opn2EXPERTS program. Together with winning teams, we intend to explore novel solutions for discovery research that will ultimately benefit the needs of patients.
About opnMe:
opnMe.com, the open science portal of Boehringer Ingelheim, fosters science and collaboration initiatives in areas of high unmet medical need. Our molecules are provided to the scientific community either free of charge as “Molecules to Order” or applied for via scientific research submissions as “Molecules for Collaboration”. With our “opn2EXPERTS” and “techMATCH” calls, we enlist scientific advice on key scientific topics to fuel further drug discovery and deliver novel solutions that benefit unmet patient needs. Our "opn2TALENTS" postdoc grants at one of our research sites offer opportunities for high-level talents to propose innovative approaches for precisely defined scientific questions.