Using a virus to enhance cancer treatment with immune cells
Official title: Induction of autosis to overcome resistance in adoptive cell therapy for solid tumors
Funded at Methodist Hospital Research Institute · NIH-11051262 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to make cancer treatments better by using special immune cells that are combined with a virus to help kill tumor cells, even those that don’t show the usual markers, which could be a big step forward for people with solid tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $568,682 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA278911-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11051262 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with solid tumors who have not responded to conventional adoptive cell therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hematological cancers or those who do not have solid tumors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new approach to improve adoptive cell therapy for solid tumors by using tumor-specific T cells loaded with the myxoma virus. The study aims to understand how this virus can induce a unique type of tumor cell death called autosis, which may help in targeting both antigen-positive and antigen-negative tumor cells. By exploring the molecular mechanisms behind this process, the researchers hope to enhance the effectiveness of T cell therapies in eradicating solid tumors, even when only a small percentage of tumor cells express the targeted antigen. This innovative strategy could lead to significant advancements in cancer treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective treatment option for patients with solid tumors that are currently resistant to existing therapies.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of viruses in cancer therapy is an emerging field, this specific approach of inducing autosis in solid tumors is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Methodist Hospital Research Institute
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Yong — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Lu, Yong
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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.