Understanding how different cancer vaccines affect T cell responses
Official title: Evaluating the impact of antigen selection on T cell responses to therapeutic cancer vaccination
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-11042696 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how choosing certain pieces of cancer cells for vaccines can help boost the immune response in patients, with the goal of creating better and more personalized cancer treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $36,918 |
| NIH project number | 5F31CA281128-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042696 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancer who are considering or currently undergoing immunotherapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancer who have not yet started any form of treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how selecting specific antigens for cancer vaccines can influence the immune response of T cells in patients. By examining the effects of various tumor antigens, including those derived from mutations, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind T cell activation and response to these vaccines. The approach includes characterizing T cell responses in a controlled setting, which may help optimize vaccine strategies for better patient outcomes. The findings could lead to more effective cancer immunotherapies tailored to individual patient needs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer vaccines that enhance the immune system's ability to fight tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with antigen-specific cancer vaccines, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pomerance, Lucas C. — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Pomerance, Lucas C.
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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.