A New Treatment for Metastatic Cancer

Phase I Clinical Testing of a First-in-Class Therapy against Metastatic Cancer

NIH-funded research Transcode Therapeutics, INC. · NIH-11182730

This project is exploring a brand-new treatment designed to specifically target and remove metastatic cancer cells in people with advanced cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionTranscode Therapeutics, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11182730 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Metastatic cancer, where cancer spreads to other parts of the body, is a major cause of cancer deaths. This new treatment, called TTX-MC138, aims to specifically get rid of these spreading cancer cells by targeting a molecule called miRNA-10b, which helps cancer spread. The treatment uses a special delivery system to reach both primary and metastatic tumors. In early laboratory and animal tests, this approach successfully eliminated metastatic tumors in breast cancer models without causing widespread side effects, and the tumors did not return.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be patients diagnosed with advanced metastatic cancer, particularly those where miRNA-10b is implicated in their disease progression.

Not a fit: Patients without metastatic disease or those whose cancer does not involve the specific biological pathways targeted by this therapy may not receive benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could offer a way to eliminate metastatic cancer cells and prevent their return, potentially extending and improving the lives of patients.

How similar studies have performed: This is a first-in-class therapy, but extensive preclinical studies in animal models have shown promising results in eliminating metastatic tumors.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Advanced CancerBreast Cancer Model
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.