Combining vaccines that target cancer-specific proteins with immune therapies
Integration of neo-antigen vaccines and immune checkpoint therapy
This study is looking at how combining special vaccines that target cancer mutations with immune checkpoint inhibitors can help boost the immune response in patients with certain types of cancer that don’t have enough T cells, aiming to make their treatment more effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146703 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how to enhance the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer treatment by integrating neo-antigen vaccines. The approach focuses on cancers that lack sufficient T cells, which are crucial for a robust immune response. By using vaccines that target specific mutations in tumors, the goal is to attract and activate T cells, making previously unresponsive cancers more susceptible to ICIs. This could potentially lead to improved outcomes for patients with certain types of cancer, particularly those with lower mutational burdens.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that have low mutational loads and are currently unresponsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that have high mutational burdens and already respond well to immune checkpoint inhibitors may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve treatment options for patients with cancers that currently respond poorly to existing therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in using neo-antigen vaccines in combination with immune therapies, indicating a potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jaffee, Elizabeth M. — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Jaffee, Elizabeth 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 below.