Anti-cancer vaccine targeting the host-parasite interface during liver fluke infection
Official title: Anti-cancer vaccine targeting the host-parasite interface during fluke infection
Funded at George Washington University · NIH-11535224 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A vaccine approach aims to block how a liver fluke parasite communicates with the human liver to prevent bile duct cancer in people in Southeast Asia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2012 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $56,808 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA164719-13S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11535224 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals living in or at high risk for Opisthorchis viverrini infection and related bile duct cancer in endemic regions (e.g., parts of Thailand and Laos).
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without exposure to liver fluke infection or not at risk for bile duct cancer related to O. viverrini may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how Opisthorchis viverrini parasites release proteins that change the human biliary environment and may lead to cancer. Researchers plan to identify parasite proteins that are essential for infection and cancer-related processes, and use them to design a multi-valent vaccine. The work combines parasite biology with vaccine development to reduce both infection and cancer risk in affected communities. If successful, it could pave the way for a preventative strategy in regions with high liver fluke exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If this vaccine succeeds, people in high-risk areas could have lower rates of bile duct cancer linked to liver fluke infection.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests that targeting parasite proteins can modulate infection and cancer risk, but a multi-valent anti-infection/anti-cancer vaccine is still a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
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George Washington University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brindley, Paul J — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Brindley, Paul J
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.