A new lentivector to deliver multiple TCRs for melanoma cell therapy
Official title: A Novel Lentivector for Enhanced In Vivo Delivery of T Cell Receptors for Cell Therapy for Stage IV Melanoma
Funded at Gigamune, INC. · NIH-11457449 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new gene-delivery approach aims to boost T cell receptors inside patients’ own cells to treat advanced melanoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Gigamune, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R44CA310160-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11457449 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with stage IV melanoma or those eligible for autologous TCR-T cell therapy, depending on future trial designs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for autologous TCR-based therapies or those who do not respond to TCR-T approaches may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports developing a lentivector system to improve how T cell receptors are delivered in vivo for autologous cell therapies in stage IV melanoma. By enabling a broader, polyclonal TCR response, the project seeks to overcome tumor heterogeneity and antigen loss that limit current treatments. The work includes preclinical and translational steps to move toward safer, more accessible TCR-T therapies for patients with advanced melanoma. If successful, this could lead to faster manufacturing and potentially broader patient access to personalized cell therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with stage IV melanoma could receive more effective, potentially faster and more accessible personalized T cell therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Early demonstrations of TCR-T cell therapies show promise, but polyclonal/multiplexed approaches remain investigational with varying results.
Where this research is happening
-
Gigamune, INC.
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, David Scott — Gigamune, INC.
- Study coordinator: Johnson, David Scott
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.