Nanoparticle therapy that activates immune response against tumors
Official title: Tumor-activatable Interleukin-2 Superkine Nanoparticle Therapy
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11036389 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new cancer treatment that uses tiny particles to deliver a special version of a protein that helps your immune system fight tumors, aiming to make the treatment safer and more effective for people with certain types of cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $399,271 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA289258-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036389 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that are responsive to IL-2 therapy, such as renal and skin cancers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers that do not respond to IL-2 or those with significant immune system dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new type of cancer treatment that uses engineered nanoparticles to deliver a modified version of interleukin-2 (IL-2), a protein that helps activate the immune system to fight tumors. The approach aims to minimize side effects commonly associated with traditional IL-2 therapies by ensuring that the treatment specifically targets cancer cells in acidic tumor environments. By enhancing the effectiveness of immune cells like CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells, this therapy seeks to improve outcomes for patients with certain types of cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective and safer immunotherapy option for cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using engineered IL-2 therapies, but this specific approach combining nanoparticles with IL-2 muteins is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gao, Jinming — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Gao, Jinming
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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.