Immune-cell exosomes and microRNAs against childhood neuroblastoma
Official title: Clinical Implications of Natural Killer-derived exosomal miRNAs in Neuroblastoma
Funded at Children's Research Institute · NIH-11305263 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether tiny particles called exosomes from activated natural killer immune cells, and the microRNAs they carry, can help kill neuroblastoma tumors in children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $732,471 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279269-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11305263 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children diagnosed with neuroblastoma, especially high-risk or relapsed cases, whose families are willing to provide blood or tumor samples or consider enrollment in future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Children without neuroblastoma, patients with unrelated conditions, or those not eligible to provide samples would not directly benefit from this specific project.
What this research studies
Researchers will collect natural killer (NK) cells from donors and patients, activate them in the lab, and harvest the exosomes these cells release. They will study the microRNA content of those exosomes and test whether the exosomes can kill neuroblastoma cells in laboratory models. The team will also look for exosome-related signals in patient samples that might predict or improve response to chemoimmunotherapy. The work aims to turn these immune-cell exosomes into a potential therapy or biomarker to guide treatment for children with neuroblastoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new immune-based treatments or biomarkers that improve survival for children with high-risk neuroblastoma.
How similar studies have gone: Early laboratory studies, including the investigators' prior work showing NK-derived exosomal microRNAs can kill neuroblastoma cells, are promising but the approach remains largely preclinical.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Research Institute
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fabbri, Muller — Children's Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Fabbri, Muller
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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.