Using B cells to strengthen the body's fight against cancer
Leveraging B cell specificities for tumor glycans to elicit potent anti-tumor immunity
This project looks at how certain immune cells, called B cells, can be trained to recognize and attack specific sugar markers found on cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11125798 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Cancer cells often have unique sugar markers, called TACAs, that are not found on healthy cells and are linked to more aggressive disease. Our bodies have special immune cells, called B cells, that can naturally recognize these TACAs. This work explores how these B cells can be activated and produce powerful antibodies to fight tumors. We are also learning how these antibodies work to kill cancer cells, aiming to develop new ways to boost the body's own defenses against cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with cancers that express specific tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs), such as the Tn antigen, might eventually benefit from therapies developed from this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers do not express the specific tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens being targeted by this approach may not directly benefit from this particular line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new immunotherapies that harness the body's own B cells and antibodies to target and destroy cancer cells more effectively.
How similar studies have performed: While the general concept of immunotherapy has shown success, this specific approach of leveraging natural B cell specificities for tumor glycans to elicit potent anti-tumor immunity is still in early stages of understanding and development.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haas, Karen M — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Haas, Karen M
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 below.