NIH-funded research Sbir 2 grant

Using a special material to boost immune responses against triple negative breast cancer

Official title: Immunomodulatory biomaterial to enhancing T-cell responses to triple negative breast cancer

Funded at Symphony Biosciences, INC. · NIH-11174056 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new way to boost your immune system against triple negative breast cancer by using a special material injected during surgery, which helps your body fight the cancer more effectively right from the start.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSymphony Biosciences, INC.
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Santa Monica, United States)
Project startMay 1, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$992,724
NIH project number4R44CA281563-02
Project IDNIH-11174056 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer who are scheduled for surgery.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-solid tumors or those who are not undergoing surgical treatment for their cancer may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing the body's immune response to triple negative breast cancer by using a unique biomaterial. The approach involves injecting a synthetic scaffold at the time of surgery or biopsy, which helps to activate local immune cells and suppress those that inhibit immune responses. By starting treatment immediately during surgery, the goal is to improve the effectiveness of the immune system in fighting solid tumors. This innovative method aims to address the challenges faced by current immunotherapies for solid tumors.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with triple negative breast cancer, potentially improving survival rates.

How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in immunotherapies for hematopoietic cancers, this approach for solid tumors is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

  • Symphony Biosciences, INC.
    Santa Monica, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Erfan, Dashtimoghadam — Symphony Biosciences, INC.
  • Study coordinator: Erfan, Dashtimoghadam

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.