Macrophage-Targeted Nanoparticles for Hard-to-Treat Breast Cancer
Official title: Macrophage-specific nanotherapy for breast cancer
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11494788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to use tiny delivery particles to turn immune cells inside breast tumors into fighters against cancer, reducing tumor growth while avoiding common antibody side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 4, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $537,698 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA244491-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11494788 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with breast cancer characterized by solid tumors and CD47-related resistance to phagocytosis in the tumor microenvironment (preclinical stage, not yet in humans).
✕Less likely to help
Patients with tumors not relying on the CD47 pathway or those not eligible for immunotherapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests specially designed nanoparticles that deliver a SHP1 inhibitor directly to inflammatory monocytes and macrophages inside breast tumors. By targeting the CD47 signaling pathway, the approach seeks to restore the immune system’s ability to engulf cancer cells without causing anemia or other blood-related side effects seen with some antibody therapies. Researchers will study how these nanoparticles are taken up by immune cells and how well they deliver the drug in two mouse models of breast cancer. If successful, the work could lead to a new way to empower the body's own defenses against solid tumors. The study combines nanotechnology with immunology to address a specific mechanism that lets tumor cells evade phagocytosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could gain a novel therapy that enhances immune clearance of breast cancer cells with fewer blood-related side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows antibodies can restore phagocytosis but may cause anemia; this project tests a nanoparticle approach to avoid such side effects.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Bryan Ronain — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Smith, Bryan Ronain
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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.