Programmable RNA scaffold to boost immune attack on cancer
Programmable 'all-in-one' RNA as a molecular scaffold for targeted combinatorial innate immune activation
This project tests a designed RNA scaffold that aims to wake up and coordinate the immune system to help people with cancer get stronger, more focused immune responses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235158 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will create programmable RNA molecules that act both as immune-stimulating signals and as a structural scaffold to arrange multiple stimulatory pieces together. They will attach different innate immune agonists to the RNA to mimic how infections trigger coordinated immune responses. The team will test these RNA constructs in cells and in animal models to find combinations and spatial arrangements that produce stronger and longer-lasting anti-tumor immunity. Findings will be used to guide development of improved vaccine adjuvants and cancer immunotherapy enhancers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with solid tumors who are receiving or being considered for immunotherapy, or who might join future vaccine-enhancement trials, would be the likely candidates for follow-up clinical testing.
Not a fit: People without cancer and patients needing immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to benefit now because this is early laboratory-stage research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help vaccines and cancer immunotherapies generate stronger, longer-lasting immune responses and increase the number of patients who benefit.
How similar studies have performed: Combining innate immune agonists has shown promise in lab and preclinical work and a few adjuvants are clinically approved, but using programmable RNA as a combined scaffold and agonist is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Connie — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Wu, Connie
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 below.