Developing new nanoparticles to activate the immune system against advanced cancer
Engineered Nano-formulations for STING Activation
This study is working on new ways to help people with head and neck cancer by creating tiny particles that boost the immune system to fight the disease better, and they’ll first test these new treatments in animals before moving on to humans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11014357 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving treatment options for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a type of aggressive cancer that currently has limited effective immunotherapy options. The team aims to create engineered nanoparticles that activate the STING pathway, which is crucial for enhancing immune responses against tumors. By developing these next-generation STING agonists, the research seeks to overcome the limitations of existing therapies that are not effective for most patients. The approach involves testing these new formulations in advanced animal models to assess their safety and effectiveness before considering human trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who have not responded to existing immunotherapies.
Not a fit: Patients with early-stage cancer or those whose cancer is not head and neck squamous cell carcinoma may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new and more effective treatment option for patients with advanced cancer who currently have limited choices.
How similar studies have performed: While there has been significant interest in STING agonists, this specific approach using engineered nanoparticles is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moon, James J. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Moon, James J.
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.