Improving the effectiveness of immune cells in treating melanoma
Official title: Enhancing Melanoma TIL Efficacy with Multifactor mRNA-Mediated T Cell Reprogramming
Funded at Yale University · NIH-10851011 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to make your immune cells, called tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, work better against melanoma by boosting them outside your body and then putting them back in, with the hope of improving treatment outcomes for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $185,977 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA282629-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10851011 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with melanoma who are considering or have undergone TIL therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with melanoma who are not eligible for TIL therapy or those with other types of cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in patients with melanoma. It aims to isolate, activate, and expand these immune cells outside the body, then reintroduce them to better fight the cancer. The study will explore methods to improve both the immediate tumor-killing ability of these cells and their long-term survival in the body, potentially leading to more successful treatments for melanoma patients. By understanding how to optimize these immune responses, the research seeks to increase the number of patients who benefit from TIL therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for melanoma, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with TIL therapy, indicating that enhancing TIL efficacy could lead to significant advancements in melanoma treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Katz, Samuel G — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Katz, Samuel G
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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.