New Antibody-Like Treatments Using Tiny Nucleic Acid Particles
Official title: Nucleic Acid Nanoparticle-based Monoclonal Antibody Mimics
Funded at Ball State University · NIH-11220513 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work aims to create new, more stable, and affordable antibody-like treatments for cancers like prostate cancer, using special nucleic acid nanoparticles.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ball State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Muncie, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $560,460 |
| NIH project number | 2R15EB031388-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11220513 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is not yet recruiting patients, but future clinical trials would likely seek patients with specific cancers, such as prostate cancer, who might benefit from new therapeutic approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without the specific cancer types targeted by these new agents, or those who respond well to existing therapies, may not directly benefit from this particular treatment approach.
What this research studies
Traditional antibody treatments for cancers can be expensive, complex to produce, and sometimes unstable. This project is developing a new type of treatment that mimics these antibodies using tiny particles made from nucleic acids, which are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. These new particles are designed to be very specific in targeting cancer cells, much like antibodies, but with the added benefits of being more stable, easier to store, and potentially less costly to make. The goal is to create a panel of these next-generation particles that can bind strongly to prostate cancer cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accessible, stable, and effective treatments for prostate cancer and potentially other cancers, with fewer side effects and easier storage.
How similar studies have gone: Nucleic acid aptamers have shown promise in various diagnostic and therapeutic applications, suggesting a foundation for this novel approach to mimic monoclonal antibodies.
Where this research is happening
-
Ball State University
Muncie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khisamutdinov, Emil — Ball State University
- Study coordinator: Khisamutdinov, Emil
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How Candida RNA changes help the fungus cause infections
The team is learning how specific RNA modifications in Candida fungi help them survive and resist drugs so future treatments for people with Candida infections can be developed.
-
Investigating a new target for treating frontal temporal dementia
This study is looking into how a gene mutation related to frontotemporal dementia affects brain cells, and it’s exploring a special enzyme that might help reduce harmful proteins, with the hope of finding new treatments for people living with this condition.
-
MitoNEET's role in regulating cellular balance in health and disease
This study is looking at a protein called MitoNEET to see how it helps keep our cells healthy and could lead to better ways to manage conditions like type-2 diabetes, cancer, and Parkinson’s Disease.
-
Understanding how inflammation affects nerve healing after injury
This study is looking at how the nervous and immune systems work together after nerve injuries, using rodent models to understand how inflammation can actually help nerves heal, which could lead to better recovery options for people with similar injuries.
-
Understanding how certain proteins and conditions affect the growth of coronary blood vessels
This study is looking at how certain proteins and conditions affect the growth of blood vessels in the heart, which is important for keeping your heart healthy, and it’s aimed at helping people with coronary artery disease by finding new treatment options.
-
Creating new types of nanoparticles that act like monoclonal antibodies for cancer treatment
This study is exploring new tiny particles made from genetic material that can work like antibodies to target prostate cancer cells, aiming to provide patients with better and more affordable treatment options.
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.