New treatment for a type of eye cancer using immunotherapy
Official title: Novel Immunotherapy Targeting Local and Systemic Immunity for Treatment of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-11113042 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new eye cancer treatment called liposomal-TLR agonist immunotherapy (LTAC) to see how well it can help people with ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN), a type of eye cancer that currently has no approved options, by using a horse model to learn how the immune system reacts to the therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | April 10, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $215,985 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA289152-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11113042 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with ocular surface squamous neoplasia who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of ocular cancers or those who do not have ocular surface squamous neoplasia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel immunotherapy called liposomal-TLR agonist immunotherapy (LTAC) to treat ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN), a type of eye cancer that currently has no approved treatments. The approach involves administering the therapy topically and perilesionally to induce an immune response against the cancer. The study will utilize an equine model to explore how the immune system responds to this treatment, analyzing both local and systemic immune responses through various assays and biopsies. By understanding these mechanisms, the research aims to improve treatment options for patients suffering from OSSN.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new effective treatment option for patients with ocular surface squamous neoplasia.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach is novel in the context of OSSN, similar immunotherapy strategies have shown promise in treating other cancers.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dow, Steven W. — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Dow, Steven W.
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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.