Investigating immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in healthy and cancer patients
Official title: SARS-CoV-2-reactive tissue-resident memory T cells in healthy and cancer subjects
Funded at La Jolla Institute for Immunology · NIH-11158512 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells called T cells react to the COVID-19 virus in both healthy people and those with cancer, to see how long their protection lasts compared to antibodies, and it could help us find ways to boost our immune defenses against the virus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | La Jolla Institute for Immunology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $293,085 |
| NIH project number | 3U01CA260588-02S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11158512 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer as well as healthy individuals without cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not infected with SARS-CoV-2 or those who do not have a history of cancer may not receive direct benefits from this research.
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. By analyzing samples from a cohort of 200 participants, the study aims to determine the durability of cellular immunity compared to antibody responses, which have been shown to decline quickly. The research employs advanced techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing to explore the characteristics and effectiveness of T cell responses against the virus. This could provide insights into how to enhance immune protection against COVID-19.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for enhancing immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, potentially benefiting vaccine development and treatment approaches.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully demonstrated the role of T cells in viral infections, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights into SARS-CoV-2 immunity.
Where this research is happening
-
La Jolla Institute for Immunology
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vijayanand, Pandurangan — La Jolla Institute for Immunology
- Study coordinator: Vijayanand, Pandurangan
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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.