NIH-funded research R21 grant

A vaccine for lung cancer using exosomes from stem cells

Official title: A lung cancer vaccine based on exosomes of induced pluripotent stem cells

Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-10651014 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new lung cancer vaccine made from tiny particles that could help your immune system recognize and fight lung tumors while being safe for healthy cells, and it’s looking for patients to join the trials.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Louisville
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Louisville, United States)
Project startSeptember 20, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2023
Award (this year)$402,401
NIH project number1R21CA280453-01
Project IDNIH-10651014 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are adults at risk for or diagnosed with lung cancer.

Less likely to help

Patients with lung cancer who have already undergone extensive treatment may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates a novel lung cancer vaccine that utilizes exosomes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The approach aims to target multiple tumor-associated antigens that are present in lung tumors but absent in normal tissues, potentially enhancing the vaccine's effectiveness. By leveraging the similarities between iPSCs and tumor cells, the study will explore how these exosomes can stimulate the immune system to attack lung tumor-initiating cells. Patients may be involved in trials to assess the safety and efficacy of this innovative vaccine.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective vaccine for preventing lung cancer.

How similar studies have gone: While there have been attempts to develop lung cancer vaccines, this approach using iPSC-derived exosomes is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Louisville
    Louisville, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Li, Chi — University of Louisville
  • Study coordinator: Li, Chi

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.