Developing a new nanoparticle to activate the immune system against cancer
Official title: Process Development and Preclinical Advancement of a Novel Nanoparticle Formulation for Immune Activation
Funded at Saros Therapeutics INC · NIH-10931453 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of treatment that uses tiny particles to help boost the immune system's ability to fight tumors, especially for patients who haven't had success with regular therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Saros Therapeutics INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $850,188 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA281497-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931453 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with solid tumors, particularly those who have not responded well to existing immunotherapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with blood cancers or those who have already had successful treatment with current immune checkpoint inhibitors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a novel nanoparticle formulation designed to enhance the immune response against tumors, particularly in cases where traditional therapies have been ineffective. The approach involves activating the cGAS-STING pathway, which has shown promise in preclinical studies for inducing anti-tumor responses. By overcoming the limitations of existing STING agonists, such as poor delivery and efficacy, this new formulation aims to provide a more effective treatment option for patients with solid tumors. The research will involve preclinical testing to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this innovative therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that significantly improve patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been successful studies using STING agonists, this specific nanoparticle approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Saros Therapeutics INC
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Richard — Saros Therapeutics INC
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Richard
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Novel nanoparticle therapy to boost cancer immunotherapy
A new nanoparticle delivery system aims to safely boost immune-based cancer treatment by helping immune-stimulating compounds reach immune cells more effectively.
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.