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-11158512

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 typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionLa Jolla Institute for Immunology NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-11158512 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. 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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer as well as healthy individuals without cancer.

Not a fit: 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.

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 performed: 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, 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.