Nanoparticle immune therapy for cancer spread in the abdomen
Official title: TLR Agonist Nano-Immune Therapy for Peritoneal Metastases
Funded at University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · NIH-11189710 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A tiny-particle immune treatment delivered into the abdomen to target ovarian and colorectal cancers that have spread to the peritoneal lining.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $464,569 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA293942-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11189710 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for future trials would be people with ovarian or colorectal cancer that has spread to the peritoneal (abdominal) lining who are medically eligible for intraperitoneal treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose disease is confined to distant organs, who cannot undergo intraperitoneal procedures, or whose tumors lack the relevant immune interactions may not benefit from this therapy.
What this research studies
This project develops silica nanoparticles coated with immune-stimulating molecules and gives them directly into the belly to reach cancer deposits on the peritoneal lining. In animal models the particles are taken up by immune cells in the abdominal cavity, travel to tumor implants, and cleared cancer that had spread in the peritoneum. The research team will study how the delivery route, immune cell trafficking, and toxic effects lead to tumor eradication and durability of protection. Findings aim to guide safer, more effective intraperitoneal immune treatments that could move toward human testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could eliminate or shrink cancer spread in the abdomen and improve survival and quality of life for people with peritoneal metastases.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical animal studies of these intraperitoneal nanoparticles showed strong tumor clearance and protection against rechallenge, but comparable approaches have not yet proven effective in human clinical trials.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Serda, Rita Elena — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Serda, Rita Elena
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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TLR-based Nano-therapy delivered into the abdomen to fight peritoneal metastases
A new nano-therapy given directly into the abdomen uses TLR-agonist–modified particles to target and kill cancer cells in people with peritoneal metastases, especially from ovarian cancer.
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Using immune therapy to treat cancer spread in the abdomen
This study is looking at a new way to help people with ovarian and colorectal cancers that have spread to the abdomen by using tiny particles to boost the immune system's ability to fight the cancer directly where it is.
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This study is testing if blood markers can help predict if colorectal cancer will come back after surgery in patients who have had their cancer completely removed.
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.