Targeted nanoparticles combining chemotherapy and immune stimulation for advanced colon cancer
Official title: Tumor-Targeted Multimodality Nanoscale Coordination Polymers for Chemo-Immunotherapy of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11294219 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Targeted nanoparticles that deliver a two-drug chemotherapy combo plus immune-activating components are being developed to help people with metastatic colorectal (colon) cancer that usually does not respond to current immunotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $466,819 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279802-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11294219 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with metastatic colorectal cancer, especially those with MMR‑proficient or microsatellite‑stable (MSI‑low) tumors that do not benefit from current checkpoint inhibitors, would be the most relevant group for this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage colorectal cancer, cancers of other types, or tumors that already respond well to existing immunotherapies are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this specific program right now.
What this research studies
This work develops nanoscale coordination polymers (NCPs) — tumor-seeking nanoparticles that carry a hydrophilic oxaliplatin prodrug inside and a hydrophobic SN38 prodrug on the shell — to concentrate treatment in tumors. The nanoparticles are designed to improve presentation of tumor antigens and activate T cells so that tumors which are MMR-proficient or MSI-low (and normally resistant to checkpoint inhibitors) become more responsive. The team will deliver these NCPs systemically, study their tumor targeting and immune effects, and combine them with immune checkpoint blockade to look for synergistic anti-tumor responses. Most experiments are preclinical but are aimed at creating a new treatment path that could move toward human testing for metastatic colorectal cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make many metastatic colorectal tumors that now resist immunotherapy respond better and potentially improve outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Related nanoparticle and chemo‑immunotherapy approaches have shown encouraging results in lab and animal studies, but clinical success in colorectal cancer is still limited and remains to be demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
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University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weichselbaum, Ralph R — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Weichselbaum, Ralph R
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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.