Using a new treatment to enhance immune responses against tumors
Official title: Harnessing ecDNA Detection in Antigen-Presenting Cells for Anti-Tumor Immunity
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11031122 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment that helps your immune system better recognize and fight cancer by using a special drug that helps immune cells grab onto tumor cells and release important signals, and it's looking for patients with different types of cancer to see how well it works.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $139,247 |
| NIH project number | 1K08CA296776-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031122 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that produce high levels of ecDNA and are currently resistant to existing treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers or those not producing high levels of ecDNA may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer by targeting specific signals in immune cells called antigen-presenting cells (APCs). The study focuses on a specially engineered antibody-drug conjugate that enhances the uptake of tumor cells and promotes the release of tumor-derived DNA within these immune cells. By overcoming barriers that prevent effective immune responses, the goal is to improve the body's ability to recognize and attack tumors, particularly those that produce high levels of extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA). Patients may be involved in trials that assess the effectiveness of this treatment in various cancer types.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer immunotherapies that enhance the body's natural ability to fight tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using similar immune-targeting strategies, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schrank, Benjamin R — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Schrank, Benjamin R
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.