Investigating how tiny forces from immune cells affect cancer treatment

Measuring and Programming Piconewton Receptor Forces for Synthetic Mechanobiology

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · NIH-11020815

This study is looking at how immune cells called T cells move and push against cancer cells and nearby tissues, using special tools to see these tiny forces, with the hope of finding better ways to help your body fight cancer.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON (nih funded)
Locations1 site (MADISON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11020815 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the mechanical forces that immune cells, particularly T cells, exert at a microscopic level. By developing innovative technologies to visualize these forces, the study aims to explore how T cells interact with cancer cells and the surrounding tissue. The researchers will measure these forces in materials that mimic the body's tissues, which could lead to new insights into how to enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. Patients may benefit from improved treatments that better harness the body's immune response against cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals undergoing treatment for cancer who may benefit from enhanced immunotherapy approaches.

Not a fit: Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those not receiving immunotherapy may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer immunotherapies by optimizing how immune cells interact with tumors.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding cellular forces in cancer treatment, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements.

Where this research is happening

MADISON, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: anti-cancer immunotherapy, anticancer immunotherapy

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.