Nanobodies that target Lag3 to regulate inflammation and boost cancer immunotherapy
Official title: Nanobodies against Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 for Inflammation Regulation and Cancer Immunotherapy
Funded at Wistar Institute · NIH-11363300 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A fast-start research project to develop tiny antibodies (nanobodies) against Lag3 to help control inflammation and improve how the immune system fights cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wistar Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 21, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $281,620 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI199951-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11363300 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with autoimmune diseases or cancer whose immune systems may benefit from Lag3-targeted strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unlikely to benefit include those without an immune component relevant to Lag3 pathways or those who cannot tolerate experimental immunotherapies.
What this research studies
This project studies Lag3, a brake on the immune system, to understand how it affects inflammation and cancer. It uses nanobodies to specifically block Lag3 and tests their effects in models of autoimmune disease and cancer. The work aims to uncover whether targeting Lag3 can enhance anti-tumor responses while balancing inflammation, informing future therapies for patients. The grant supports a short-term, proof-of-concept plan to generate and test these nanobodies in relevant preclinical systems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new ways to treat inflammatory diseases and improve cancer immunotherapies.
How similar studies have gone: Lag3-related strategies show promise in boosting anti-tumor immunity, but Lag3-specific nanobody approaches are still early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Wistar Institute
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Jianliang — Wistar Institute
- Study coordinator: Xu, Jianliang
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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.