New Immunotherapy for Childhood Neuroblastoma

Toward Translation of an Immunotherapeutic Nanomedicine for Neuroblastoma

['FUNDING_R01'] · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · NIH-11136913

This research is developing a new type of immunotherapy to help children with advanced, high-risk neuroblastoma.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorVANDERBILT UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11136913 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Neuroblastoma is a serious childhood cancer that is often difficult to treat, and current therapies can be very harsh. This project is working on a new treatment called STING-activating nanoparticles (STANs), which are tiny particles designed to boost the body's own immune system to fight cancer cells. Researchers are refining these particles and studying how they work in models, aiming to make them ready for use in patients. The goal is to find better, less toxic ways to treat this aggressive cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is focused on developing therapies for children diagnosed with advanced, high-risk neuroblastoma.

Not a fit: Patients without neuroblastoma or those with other types of cancer would not directly benefit from this specific treatment approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this new immunotherapy could offer a more effective and less toxic treatment option for children battling high-risk neuroblastoma.

How similar studies have performed: While neuroblastoma has been challenging to treat with many existing immunotherapies, this approach with STING-activating nanoparticles is a novel strategy being advanced for this specific cancer.

Where this research is happening

Nashville, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.