Off-the-shelf iPSC-derived NK cells to fight solid tumors
Official title: Targeting off-the-shelf iPSC-derived natural killer cells against solid tumors
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11377095 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher at the University of Minnesota is advancing a patient-focused NK cell therapy using lab-grown, pluripotent stem cell–derived natural killer cells to target solid cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $928,524 |
| NIH project number | 5R35CA283892-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377095 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with advanced solid tumors who express targets like HLA-E and who are eligible for NK cell-based therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers not driven by NK cell susceptibility or those unable to tolerate cellular therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project builds on years of NK cell and IL-15 biology work to create an iPSC-derived NK cell platform that can be produced at scale. It aims to translate promising lab findings into clinical approaches for solid tumors, leveraging CMV-induced adaptive NK cell features and specific tumor targets like HLA-E–expressing cancers. The program uses genome-edited iPSCs to generate NK cells that could be tested in patients, with a focus on safety and scalable manufacturing. The effort is anchored in the PI’s established NK cell program and ongoing collaboration with translational scientists. The grant will fund translational steps that bridge lab discoveries to potential patient trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with solid tumors may receive a scalable, engineered NK cell therapy that could improve tumor control.
How similar studies have gone: Previous NK cell therapies have shown safety signals and immune activity in cancers, with ongoing translational efforts to improve efficacy.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Jeffrey S. — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Miller, Jeffrey S.
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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.