Steering natural killer cells to better target cancer
Directing Function at the Natural Killer Cell Secretory Immunological Synapse
Finding ways to steer the immune system’s natural killer cells so they can more precisely destroy cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11396884 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how natural killer (NK) cells aim and release their cancer-killing contents at the contact point with a target cell. Researchers study the cell structures and movements—like granule convergence, the microtubule organizing center, and the actin mesh—that control where killing happens. They use lab-grown 3-D models, genetic CRISPR screens, and other cell-based experiments to identify the genes and mechanisms that guide precise NK-cell killing. The goal is to learn how to make NK cells attack tumors more accurately and avoid collateral damage to healthy cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers that may be treated with NK-cell or related immune-cell therapies, or who are eligible for future trials based on NK-cell approaches, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients without cancer or whose conditions are not candidates for immune-cell therapy are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable safer and more effective NK-cell cancer therapies that focus killing on tumors and spare healthy tissue.
How similar studies have performed: Early clinical work with NK-cell and CAR-NK therapies has shown promise in some cancers, but this detailed cell-biology approach to directing NK killing is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Children's Hosp of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Orange, Jordan Scott — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Orange, Jordan Scott
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.