Using alpha particles and ATR inhibition to boost the immune system against tumors
Official title: Alpha particles combined with ATR inhibition to activate the immune system: mechanisms and pre-clinical translation
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11085275 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special type of radiation can help your immune system better fight tumors by making them more visible, and it also tests a combination with another treatment to boost this effect even more.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 12, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $520,199 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279119-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11085275 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with tumors that may respond to enhanced immune activation through radiation therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-tumor conditions or those whose tumors are not amenable to this type of treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how alpha particles, a type of radiation, can enhance the immune response to tumors by inducing the release of immunostimulatory signals. It focuses on the mechanisms by which radiation creates micronuclei that activate the cGAS-STING pathway, which is crucial for immune activation. The study also explores the combination of this radiation approach with ATR inhibition to further improve anti-tumor immunity. Patients may benefit from this innovative treatment strategy that aims to make tumors more recognizable to the immune system.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that harness the body's immune system to fight tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in using radiation to stimulate immune responses, making this approach a potentially valuable advancement in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
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University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sawakuchi, Gabriel Oliveira — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Sawakuchi, Gabriel Oliveira
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.