Creating tiny engineered cells to fight cancer
Microfluidic Precision Engineered Artificial Antigen Presenting Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy
This work aims to develop new artificial cells that can help a patient's own immune system remember and fight cancer more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11191600 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our immune system needs special "presenting cells" to teach T cells how to recognize and attack cancer. Current methods for expanding these cancer-fighting T cells can be slow and difficult, often requiring large blood samples from patients. This project is developing tiny, engineered artificial cells that can act like these natural presenting cells. These artificial cells are designed to bind with T cells and help them multiply, creating a stronger army against cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with various types of cancer who might benefit from therapies that boost their immune system's ability to fight tumors could be ideal candidates for future applications of this technology.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancer does not respond to immune-based therapies or those with conditions preventing immune system activation may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more effective and easier-to-produce cancer immunotherapies that provide long-lasting protection against tumors.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of artificial antigen-presenting cells has been explored, this project uses a novel microfluidic engineering process to create and optimize these cells.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Abraham P — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Lee, Abraham P
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.