NIH-funded research U01 cooperative agreement

Boosting immune response to fight cancer

Official title: Human CD3epsilon co-potentiation to boost immunotherapy

Funded at University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-9868156 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is exploring a new way to help your immune system better fight cancer by tweaking certain cells in your body, and it aims to improve treatment for people with advanced cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Missouri-Columbia
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbia, United States)
Project startSeptember 20, 2019
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2019
Award (this year)$3,730,200
NIH project number1U01CA244314-01
Project IDNIH-9868156 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with metastatic cancers.

Less likely to help

Patients with early-stage cancers or those who do not have metastatic disease may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates a new method to enhance the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells by manipulating T cell receptors. The approach uses specialized fragments that target the CD3 complex on T cells, making them more responsive to cancer antigens. By combining these fragments with existing immunotherapies, the goal is to improve treatment outcomes for patients with metastatic cancers. The research has shown promising results in animal models, indicating potential effectiveness in humans.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective immunotherapy options for patients with metastatic cancers.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with similar immunotherapy approaches, indicating a strong potential for this method.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Missouri-Columbia
    Columbia, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Gil Pages, Diana — University of Missouri-Columbia
  • Study coordinator: Gil Pages, Diana

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.