Helping dendritic immune cells carry cancer targets with a new hybrid delivery system
Targeted Gene Delivery and Human Dendritic Cell Maturation Through a Novel Hybrid Biological-Biomaterial Vector System
This project develops a harmless bacterial–polymer delivery system to load human dendritic cells with cancer markers so the immune system can better find and attack tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11045754 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are creating a hybrid vector that combines a bacterial core wrapped in a biocompatible polymer to carry genetic cancer antigens into human dendritic cells. They will study how this vector helps dendritic cells mature and present antigens, using human cells and laboratory models to measure immune activation. The work builds on encouraging results from dendritic cell vaccines that produced long-term immune responses in some trials but seeks to overcome low response rates in many metastatic patients. If preclinical results are promising, the approach could be moved toward clinical testing and improved cell-based cancer vaccines.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with cancers considered for dendritic cell–based immunotherapy—particularly those with metastatic solid tumors who have not responded to other treatments—would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People without cancer, patients whose tumors lack immunogenic markers, or those not eligible for cell-based therapies would be unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could strengthen dendritic cell vaccines and help more patients' immune systems recognize and destroy cancer cells.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier dendritic cell vaccine trials have shown durable immune responses and improved survival for some patients in Phase II studies, but many patients still fail to respond, so this approach aims to build on and improve previous results.
Where this research is happening
Amherst, United States
- State University of New York at Buffalo — Amherst, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pfeifer, Blaine a. — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Pfeifer, Blaine a.
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.