Bacterial immunotherapy to boost anti-tumor immunity in breast cancer
Official title: Overcoming immune suppression with intracellular antigen-delivery and CRISPR-controlled Salmonella effectors
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-11422183 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach uses engineered Salmonella to deliver cancer antigens inside tumor cells to wake up memory immune cells and help fight breast cancer, especially tough-to-treat triple-negative tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $495,240 |
| NIH project number | 1P01CA300738-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11422183 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with breast cancer, especially those with triple-negative breast cancer, who have tumors that may be immune-suppressive.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not respond to immune-based strategies or who cannot tolerate bacterial-based therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to turn recalled immune memory into a durable attack against breast cancer by delivering antigens directly into tumor cells with engineered bacteria. The approach combines intracellular antigen delivery with strategies to block bacterial immune-suppressive signals and enhance checkpoint-related responses, aiming to increase how well T cells recognize and kill cancer cells. Researchers will test this in preclinical models to see if memory CD8 T cells can be redirected to attack tumors more effectively. If successful, the work could lead to a novel, personalized immunotherapy for patients whose tumors resist current treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with difficult-to-treat breast cancer could gain a new, more effective immunotherapy option.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown that intracellular antigen delivery with engineered bacteria can clear immune-checkpoint resistant tumors in animal models.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Minter, Lisa M — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Minter, Lisa M
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.