Improving STING activation to boost the body's cancer-fighting immune response
Novel endogenous and engineered activators of STING: from mechanisms to cancer therapy
Using new nanoparticles and molecules to more safely and longer activate a natural immune pathway called STING to help people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311934 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to make a natural immune switch called STING turn on more strongly and for longer so the body can better attack tumors. Researchers will study how lipids and other factors control STING and use cryo-electron microscopy to see how a polymer called PSC7A binds and activates STING. They will test PSC7A nanoparticles carrying natural STING signals and drugs in animal tumor models to look for stronger anti-cancer effects. The goal is to create STING-targeting treatments that boost tumor-killing immunity while reducing harmful inflammation in healthy tissues.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers that might respond to immune-based treatments—especially those considered for experimental immunotherapies—would be most likely to benefit from therapies developed here.
Not a fit: Patients needing immediate standard treatment or whose tumors do not engage the immune system are unlikely to benefit from this preclinical work in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to safer, longer-lasting STING-based immunotherapies that shrink tumors with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Prior STING agonists performed well in animal studies but had limited success in early human trials, and the PSC7A nanoparticle approach is novel with encouraging preclinical results.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bai, Xiaochen — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bai, Xiaochen
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.