Developing a system to quickly and safely collect immune cells from blood to fight ovarian cancer
Official title: Engineering high performing microfluidic system for rapid non-invasive isolation and expansion of circulating tumor-reactive lymphocytes
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11020342 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, gentle way to quickly collect immune cells from the blood of ovarian cancer patients, so they can use their own cells to fight the cancer without needing painful procedures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $637,371 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA295888-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11020342 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with recurrent or metastatic ovarian cancer who have limited treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage ovarian cancer or those who do not have recurrent disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a microfluidic system that can rapidly and non-invasively isolate tumor-reactive lymphocytes from the bloodstream of patients with ovarian cancer. By using this innovative technology, the goal is to avoid the need for invasive procedures typically required to obtain these immune cells from tumors. The approach aims to enhance the efficiency of adoptive cell therapy, which utilizes the patient's own immune cells to combat cancer. Patients will benefit from a less invasive method that could lead to more effective treatments for recurrent or metastatic ovarian cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, less invasive treatment option for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer by harnessing their own immune cells to fight the disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using microfluidic technologies for cell isolation, indicating potential success for this novel approach in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kelley, Shana O — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Kelley, Shana O
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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.