Reprogramming cancer cells to enhance immune therapy

A PLATFORM TECHNOLOGY TO GENETICALLY REPROGRAM CANCER CELLS FOR ENHANCED IMMUNOTHERAPY

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10875290

This study is looking at a new way to help your immune system fight cancer by changing cancer cells so they can better show your body what to attack, which could lead to better treatment results, especially for tough tumors that don’t respond well to regular therapies.

Quick facts

Grant typeR37 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10875290 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving cancer immunotherapy by genetically reprogramming cancer cells to act as antigen-presenting cells (APCs). By using synthetic nanoparticles to deliver DNA directly into cancer cells, the project aims to enable these cells to present tumor antigens and stimulate the immune system more effectively. This approach seeks to enhance the body's natural ability to target and destroy cancer cells, particularly in aggressive tumors that do not respond well to traditional treatments. Patients may benefit from a more effective immune response against their cancer, potentially leading to improved survival rates.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with aggressive cancers that have not responded to conventional therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage cancers or those who have not yet undergone standard treatments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that harness the body's immune system to fight tumors.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in using engineered cells for immunotherapy, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.