NIH-funded research Career grant

Exploring how the genome can improve cancer immunotherapy

Official title: Harnessing the repetitive genome for cancer immunotherapy

Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-10894129 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is exploring how certain parts of our DNA can help improve cancer treatments by boosting the immune system's ability to fight tumors, and it's designed to benefit patients looking for better options in their cancer care.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDana-Farber Cancer Inst
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2023
Project endJuly 31, 2028
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$268,752
NIH project number5K08CA267065-02
Project IDNIH-10894129 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients with various types of cancer who may benefit from innovative immunotherapy approaches.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those not eligible for immunotherapy may not receive benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the role of the repetitive genome in cancer and how it can be harnessed to enhance immunotherapy treatments. Led by Dr. Gabriel Griffin, the project aims to investigate the basic mechanisms of immune regulation in cancer, particularly through the study of transposable elements and genome topology. Patients may benefit from advancements in cancer treatment as the research seeks to uncover new strategies for improving immune responses against tumors. The project is part of a five-year training program that combines laboratory work with mentorship from leading experts in cancer biology.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer immunotherapies that better harness the body's immune system to fight cancer.

How similar studies have gone: Other research in cancer epigenetics and immunotherapy has shown promising results, indicating that this approach has the potential for significant breakthroughs.

Where this research is happening

  • Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Griffin, Gabriel K. — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
  • Study coordinator: Griffin, Gabriel K.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.