Using a new antibody to improve prostate cancer immunotherapy
Official title: Immunotherapy of prostate cancer using an anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11036348 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to boost immunotherapy for prostate cancer by using a special antibody that targets a protein called CD6, which could help immune cells better fight the cancer, and patients may have the chance to participate in trials to see how safe and effective this treatment is.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $218,790 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA287325-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036348 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be patients diagnosed with prostate cancer who have not responded well to existing immunotherapy treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage prostate cancer or those who have not yet undergone any form of immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to enhance immunotherapy for prostate cancer by targeting the CD6 protein, which plays a crucial role in T-lymphocyte interactions. The study aims to develop an anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody that can potentially improve the infiltration of immune cells into the tumor microenvironment, overcoming current limitations of existing treatments. By blocking the CD6-CD318 interaction, the research seeks to enable lymphocytes to effectively attack prostate cancer cells. Patients may be involved in trials to assess the safety and efficacy of this new treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective immunotherapy options for prostate cancer patients, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of targeting the CD6-CD318 axis is relatively novel, previous studies have shown promise in using similar immunotherapy strategies for other autoimmune conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fox, David Alan — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Fox, David Alan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Combination immunotherapy with radioligand therapy for metastatic prostate cancer
A study aims to help men with advanced prostate cancer by combining immune therapy with targeted radiation to boost the body’s own defense against cancer.
-
Androgen deprivation as an immune boost with targeted immunotherapy for prostate cancer
This grant tests whether depriving androgens can boost the body’s immune attack against prostate cancer when combined with a vaccine-style immunotherapy.
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Isoform-selective Hsp90 inhibitors for prostate cancer therapy and immunotherapy
A new drug approach targets a specific protein (Hsp90β) in prostate cancer to fight tumors and boost immune therapy.
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Creating targeted drugs to treat advanced prostate cancer
This study is looking at new drugs that target a specific protein involved in cancer growth, hoping to make treatments for advanced prostate cancer safer and more effective, especially when combined with current immunotherapy options.
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Hormone-lowering treatment plus targeted immunotherapy for prostate cancer
This work combines hormone-lowering therapy with a vaccine that trains the immune system to attack prostate cancer cells for men with advanced prostate cancer.
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Combining targeted radioligand therapy with immunotherapy for advanced prostate cancer
Seeing if adding targeted radioligand therapy to immunotherapy helps men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer by boosting the immune attack on tumors.
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.