Temperature-controlled protein switches to trigger targeted cancer cell death
A molecular toolbox for thermal control of programmed cell death in animals
Researchers are building protein 'switches' that use safe heating or cooling to turn on specific ways cells die inside tumors, with the hope of making cancer treatments more precise and immune-stimulating.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11264824 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is developing single-protein tools that respond to gentle heating or cooling to trigger apoptosis, necroptosis, or pyroptosis in cells inside the body. The team will test these temperature-controlled switches in mouse models of cancer to see if they can kill tumor cells with precise timing and location. Because some types of cell death can alert the immune system, the researchers will also look for signs that this approach can boost anti-tumor immunity. The goal is to create non-invasive, tunable methods that could later be adapted for human therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with solid tumors who are candidates for localized thermal treatments or who are receiving immunotherapy would be the most likely candidates for future clinical trials of this technology.
Not a fit: People with blood cancers or widespread metastatic disease that cannot be targeted with localized heating or cooling are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could allow doctors to destroy tumors more precisely and possibly stimulate the immune system to fight cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Existing thermal ablation methods and immune-activating cell-death research have shown promise, but the concept of precise, protein-based temperature switches is novel and untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bugaj, Lukasz — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Bugaj, Lukasz
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.