Investigating immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in healthy and cancer patients

SARS-CoV-2-reactive tissue-resident memory T cells in healthy and cancer subjects

NIH-funded research La Jolla Institute for Immunology · NIH-10688355

This study is looking at how certain immune cells called tissue-resident memory T cells react to the virus that causes COVID-19 in both healthy people and those with cancer, to help us learn more about how our bodies fight off infections.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionLa Jolla Institute for Immunology NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-10688355 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how tissue-resident memory T cells respond to SARS-CoV-2 in both healthy individuals and cancer patients. The team will analyze immune responses by examining T cells from a cohort of 200 participants, split evenly between those with cancer and those without. Using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, they aim to uncover how these immune cells function and their potential role in providing protection against COVID-19. This study seeks to enhance our understanding of cellular immunity in the context of viral infections and cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who are either healthy or diagnosed with cancer, particularly those who have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2.

Not a fit: Patients who are not exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or those with conditions that severely compromise their immune system may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for enhancing immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, particularly in vulnerable cancer patients.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding T cell responses to viral infections, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.