Engineering immune cells to fight cancer using virus-like particles
Official title: Cancer therapy by targeting innate immune cells in vivo using novel virus-like particles
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11113643 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new gene therapy that helps immune cells better fight cancer, aiming to create a ready-made treatment that can be used by many patients without needing to customize it for each person.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $222,998 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA289083-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11113643 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients with refractory cancers, particularly those who have not responded to traditional therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers or those who are not candidates for immune cell therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel gene therapy that enhances the ability of immune cells, such as T cells, NK cells, and macrophages, to target and destroy cancer cells. By using virus-like particles, the researchers aim to create a more efficient and standardized method for producing these engineered immune cells, which can potentially be used as an 'off-the-shelf' treatment for various cancers. This approach seeks to overcome the limitations of current therapies that require patient-specific cell manufacturing, making treatment more accessible and affordable for a broader range of patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective and accessible cancer treatment option for patients with difficult-to-treat malignancies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using engineered immune cells for cancer treatment, particularly with CAR-T therapies, indicating a potential for success with this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaufman, Dan S. — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Kaufman, Dan S.
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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.