Long-lasting gene therapy to stop tiny breast cancer spread
A New Paradigm to Prevent and Treat Micrometastases
This project uses a long-lasting gene therapy to keep the immune system active so it can find and destroy tiny, early breast cancer cells before they grow into metastases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285325 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, this work aims to deliver therapeutic genes that keep immune defenses turned on continuously so circulating cancer cells and very small metastatic deposits can be found and killed. The team is developing gene-based versions of immune-targeting proteins and testing them in the lab and in animal models to create steady, long-term levels of therapy rather than intermittent drug cycles. The idea is to catch cancer cells while they are in the bloodstream or just arriving in a new organ, before they build a protective environment that makes them harder to treat. This is mainly preclinical research now but could lead to clinical trials if it proves safe and effective.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with breast cancer who are at high risk for micrometastasis or who are being treated to prevent early spread would be the most likely candidates for future trials.
Not a fit: Patients with large, well-established metastatic tumors or cancers that do not express the therapy's targets may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower the chance that microscopic breast cancer spread grows into life-threatening metastases and reduce relapse rates.
How similar studies have performed: Related immune therapies like CAR-T and gene delivery of antibodies have shown success in blood cancers and preclinical models, but continuous gene-based immune protection for solid tumor micrometastases is largely unproven in patients.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, United States
- Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cripe, Timothy P — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Cripe, Timothy P
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 below.