Boosting the effectiveness of TROP2-targeted antibody-drug conjugates in cancer
Official title: Potentiating efficacy of TROP2 targeted antibody-drug conjugates
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11449495 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project tests ways to make approved TROP2-targeting cancer drugs work better in tumors using patient-derived models.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $511,930 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA308828-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449495 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers that express TROP2, including solid tumors where SG-like therapies are used, may be candidates for translational follow-up and future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not express TROP2 or cannot tolerate the proposed combinations may receive no direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how TROP2-targeted antibody-drug conjugates perform in real tumor models that came from patients, using comprehensive genetic and protein data to understand who may respond well or develop resistance. They will build a machine-learning tool to predict who is likely to benefit from these drugs. The work also tests strategies to overcome resistance and improve how long the treatment works, including new drug combinations and next-generation payloads. Studies include in vivo validation to ensure findings translate to living systems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with TROP2-expressing cancers could receive more effective, longer-lasting therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior TKP studies with TROP2-targeted ADCs have shown activity, but this project aims to further improve efficacy and predict response, which is promising but still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harrell, Joshua (Chuck) — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Harrell, Joshua (Chuck)
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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.