Biosensor-based selection of tumor-attacking immune cells
Official title: Biosensor Selection of Tumor-Reactive Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-11427777 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach aims to quickly pick and grow the patient’s own tumor-fighting immune cells to treat cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $382,288 |
| NIH project number | 1R33CA302535-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11427777 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with solid tumors where TIL therapy is considered a viable option and whose tumors can be sampled.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not yield tumor-reactive TILs or cannot tolerate cell-based therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project plans to use a nanobiosensor to rapidly identify and sort tumor-reactive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) based on immune signals like IFN-α and TNF-α. The goal is to shorten the time needed to prepare TILs for therapy while keeping them effective. It builds on existing TIL treatments, but seeks faster, more efficient selection to help patients with rapidly progressing tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive personalized TIL therapy faster and potentially more effectively.
How similar studies have gone: Previous approaches have shown that selecting highly reactive TILs improves treatment outcomes, but faster selection methods are still under development.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wong, Pak Kin — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Wong, Pak Kin
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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.