Stopping cancers from hiding by blocking MICA shedding
Therapeutic Targeting of Immune Evasion from the MICA - NKG2D Pathway
Using antibodies and a vaccine to help immune cells spot and kill advanced cancers that hide by shedding MICA/B proteins.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11314612 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many cancers make stress proteins called MICA/B that flag them to killer immune cells, but tumors often cut off (shed) these proteins to hide. Researchers made antibodies that block the shedding site on MICA/B so the proteins stay on the tumor surface and attract immune attacks. In lab dishes and mouse models these antibodies increased tumor killing, and the team also developed a vaccine targeting the same part of MICA/B. An antibody that prevents MICA/B shedding is already in a phase 2 clinical trial, and this grant supports further development of these approaches at Dana‑Farber.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with advanced or metastatic cancers whose tumors express MICA/B and who are eligible for experimental immunotherapy.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors lack MICA/B expression, who are too frail for immunotherapy trials, or who have early-stage cancers unlikely to need experimental treatment may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help the immune system better find and destroy advanced tumors, possibly shrinking tumors or slowing disease progression.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work showed strong tumor-killing in cells and mice, and a related antibody is already being tested in a phase 2 patient trial.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Inst — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wucherpfennig, Kai W — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Wucherpfennig, Kai W
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.