Finding ways to boost the ability of natural killer cells to fight cancer
HTS for the discovery of activators of NK cell cytotoxicity
This study is looking for new ways to boost the power of your immune cells, called natural killer (NK) cells, to help them fight leukemia better, especially acute myeloid leukemia, by testing different small molecules that could improve their effectiveness in treating cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11098702 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of natural killer (NK) cells, which are immune cells that can kill cancer cells without needing to recognize specific antigens. The researchers will screen a large library of small molecules to identify those that can improve NK cell activity against various types of leukemia, particularly acute myeloid leukemia. By testing these compounds, the goal is to discover new treatments that could make NK cell therapies more effective for patients with cancer. This work could also provide insights into how NK cells function, potentially leading to more targeted cancer therapies in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia or other hematologic malignancies who may benefit from enhanced NK cell therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with solid tumors that are not responsive to NK cell therapies may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly improve the effectiveness of NK cell treatments for cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in enhancing NK cell activity, but this specific approach using high throughput screening of small molecules is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wald, David — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Wald, David
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.