Novel nanoparticle therapy to boost cancer immunotherapy
Official title: Demonstrating safety and combination therapy potential of a novel nanoparticle delivery system
Funded at Saros Therapeutics INC · NIH-11410154 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new nanoparticle delivery system aims to safely boost immune-based cancer treatment by helping immune-stimulating compounds reach immune cells more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Saros Therapeutics INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,164,203 |
| NIH project number | 1R44CA306545-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11410154 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients whose tumors are resistant to current immune therapies and are candidates for experimental immunotherapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions not related to cancer immunotherapy or those at high risk for adverse reactions may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses a special nanoparticle carrier to deliver a STING pathway activator with manganese, designed to stay in the body longer and target dendritic cells and macrophages. The goal is to make immunotherapy work better for patients whose tumors don’t attract T-cells well. Researchers will test safety and initial effectiveness in animals, study manufacturing at scale, and plan steps toward human trials. If successful, this approach could enable more patients to benefit from combination immunotherapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with metastatic cancer could experience stronger immune responses and improved treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous STING-activating approaches faced limitations, but this platform aims to overcome them with improved delivery and targeting.
Where this research is happening
-
Saros Therapeutics INC
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Richard — Saros Therapeutics INC
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Richard
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Developing a new nanoparticle to activate the immune system against cancer
This study is testing a new type of treatment that uses tiny particles to help boost the immune system's ability to fight tumors, especially for patients who haven't had success with regular therapies.
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.