Developing new therapies to enhance immune cell targeting of cancer cells
Official title: Engineering Immune Engagers
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10998917 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new ways to help your body's natural killer cells better find and attack cancer cells by using a special treatment that combines different tools to boost their power, making it a promising option for future cancer therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 26, 2024 |
| Project end | August 25, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $43,262 |
| NIH project number | 1F30CA295068-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10998917 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with advanced cancers who may benefit from novel immunotherapies targeting specific tumor antigens.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers or those not expressing the targeted tumor antigens may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating innovative therapies that enhance the ability of natural killer (NK) cells to target and destroy cancer cells. The approach involves engineering trispecific killer cell engagers (TriKEs) that combine a tumor-binding domain, an IL-15 cytokine, and a CD16 engager to stimulate NK cell activation and improve tumor cell killing. By optimizing the properties of these tumor-binding domains, the research aims to enhance the effectiveness and stability of these therapies for potential clinical use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer cancer treatments that harness the body's immune system to fight tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using immune engagers for cancer treatment, indicating a potential for success with this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walsh, Melissa Ariel — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Walsh, Melissa Ariel
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.