Helping T cells fight triple-negative breast cancer with a tiny implanted immune scaffold
Immunomodulatory biomaterial to enhancing T-cell responses to triple negative breast cancer
['FUNDING_SBIR_2'] · SYMPHONY BIOSCIENCES, INC. · NIH-11193981
This project uses a small injected “synthetic lymph node” placed at biopsy or surgery to help a person’s own T cells better attack triple-negative breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_SBIR_2'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | SYMPHONY BIOSCIENCES, INC. (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SANTA MONICA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11193981 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a synthetic scaffold called SymphNode that can be injected at the time of biopsy or surgery to act like a local lymph node. The scaffold is designed to recruit tumor-experienced immune cells, boost their activation, and reduce local immune-suppressing cells in the tumor area. Work focuses on engineering the biomaterial to promote durable T-cell responses against triple-negative breast cancer and to reduce the chance of tumor recurrence. The team aims to translate these lab and preclinical findings into a therapy that could be offered to patients during their initial surgical care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with triple-negative breast cancer who are having a biopsy or surgical removal of their tumor and could receive a local injection at that time.
Not a fit: People with other cancer types, widespread metastatic disease not amenable to local treatment, or those who cannot undergo biopsy/surgery are unlikely to benefit from this specific local scaffold approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could start immune treatment right at surgery and strengthen a patient’s own T-cell response to lower recurrence risk.
How similar studies have performed: Related biomaterial immune-scaffold approaches have shown promising anti-tumor effects in animal studies, but they remain largely untested in humans so far.
Where this research is happening
SANTA MONICA, UNITED STATES
- SYMPHONY BIOSCIENCES, INC. — SANTA MONICA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DASHTIMOGHADAM, ERFAN — SYMPHONY BIOSCIENCES, INC.
- Study coordinator: DASHTIMOGHADAM, ERFAN
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.