Nanoscale polymers delivering patient-specific cancer vaccines for metastatic colorectal cancer
Official title: Nanoscale Coordination Polymers of Cyclic-di-nucleotides and Peptide Antigens for Effective Therapy of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11328849 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new therapy uses tiny, designer particles to carry patient-specific cancer antigens to tumors in people with advanced colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $439,328 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276307-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11328849 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have tumor samples suitable for neoantigen identification and consent to participate in vaccine-based research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not express identifiable neoantigens or who cannot tolerate nanoparticle-based therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create and test very small, tumor-targeting particles that carry neoantigen signals identified from a patient’s own tumor. The approach combines personalized vaccines with advanced nanoparticle delivery to enhance immune attack on cancer. Researchers will study how these particles distribute in the body, how they engage immune cells, and how they affect CD8 T cells to fight tumors. The work includes preclinical studies and early clinical steps to move toward a systemic, patient-tailored treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with metastatic colorectal cancer may receive a more effective, personalized vaccine that helps their immune system attack tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Similar nano-delivery vaccine strategies have shown promise in early studies for other cancers, supporting a potential path forward.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weichselbaum, Ralph R — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Weichselbaum, Ralph R
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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.