Stopping osteosarcoma from spreading to the lungs with RNA-packed nanoparticles
Official title: Overcoming metastatic spread of osteosarcoma with RNA loaded nanoparticles
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11178517 · Data updated 2026-11-12
An RNA-based nanoparticle vaccine aims to train the immune system to stop or shrink lung metastases in children and adults with osteosarcoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,200,245 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA266857-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11178517 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be children, adolescents, or adults with osteosarcoma who are at high risk for lung metastases or who already have metastatic lung disease.
✕Less likely to help
People with cancers other than osteosarcoma or those unable to receive systemic nanoparticle treatments would not be expected to benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
The team packages tumor-derived mRNA inside layered lipid nanoparticles designed to act like a vaccine that wakes up the immune system. When given systemically in animal models, these RNA‑NPs rapidly activate dendritic cells and other immune cells to recognize and attack osteosarcoma cells in the lungs. In mice the approach reduced metastatic lung tumors and showed acceptable short- and long-term toxicity in preclinical studies. The researchers are developing the approach with the goal of moving it toward clinical testing for patients with high-risk or metastatic osteosarcoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help prevent or shrink lung metastases and improve survival for people with osteosarcoma.
How similar studies have gone: RNA-lipid nanoparticle vaccines have been highly successful for infectious diseases and shown promising anti-tumor effects in preclinical cancer models, but using them specifically against osteosarcoma lung metastases is a novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sayour, Elias — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Sayour, Elias
Related research
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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.