NIH-funded research R21 grant

Therapeutic vaccination using patient-derived immune cells for lung cancer treatment

Official title: Evaluation of a therapeutic vaccination strategy with motif neoepitope peptide-pulsed autologous dendritic cells for non-small cell lung cancer patients harboring a charged HLA-B binding pocket.

Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10893578 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new type of vaccine for people with non-small cell lung cancer that uses their own immune cells to help their body fight the cancer better, focusing on specific markers in their tumors to create a personalized treatment that could lead to improved results.

More Lung Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project startJuly 25, 2023
Project endJune 30, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$209,850
NIH project number5R21CA277172-02
Project IDNIH-10893578 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer who have specific genetic markers related to HLA-B binding pockets.

Less likely to help

Patients with lung cancer who do not have the targeted genetic markers or those with other types of lung cancer may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates a novel vaccination approach for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that focuses on using their own immune cells, specifically dendritic cells, to enhance the body's immune response against cancer. The study aims to identify specific tumor neoantigens that can trigger a stronger immune reaction, particularly in patients with certain genetic markers. By customizing the vaccine to target these neoepitopes, the goal is to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy and provide a more personalized treatment option for patients. Participants will receive a vaccination designed to activate their immune system against their cancer cells, potentially leading to better outcomes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective immunotherapy options for lung cancer patients, improving survival rates and quality of life.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with dendritic cell-based vaccines in cancer treatment, indicating potential for success with this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California Los Angeles
    Los Angeles, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Garon, Edward B — University of California Los Angeles
  • Study coordinator: Garon, Edward B

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.