NIH-funded research R01 grant

Using cold to enhance immune therapy for breast cancer

Official title: Cold-responsive gene and drug delivery-potentiated cryoimmunotherapy

Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11002337 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is exploring a new way to treat breast cancer by using freezing to shrink tumors and boost the body's immune system to fight the cancer better, and it's aimed at people looking for less invasive treatment options.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of Maryland, College Park
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (College Park, United States)
Project startDecember 19, 2023
Project endNovember 30, 2028
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$407,483
NIH project number5R01CA279810-02
Project IDNIH-11002337 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with breast cancer, especially those experiencing metastasis.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-breast cancer types or those who are not eligible for cryotherapy may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates a novel approach to treating breast cancer by combining cryotherapy, which involves freezing tumors, with immunotherapy to improve the immune response against cancer. The goal is to create a more favorable tumor microenvironment that allows immune cells to better infiltrate and attack the cancer cells. By temporarily freezing the tumor, the researchers aim to induce cell death and stimulate an immune response that can help combat metastasis. This method is designed to be minimally invasive, offering a potential alternative to traditional surgical methods.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for breast cancer, particularly in cases where the cancer has spread.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using cryotherapy to enhance immune responses in cancer treatment, indicating that this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

  • Univ of Maryland, College Park
    College Park, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: He, Xiaoming — Univ of Maryland, College Park
  • Study coordinator: He, Xiaoming

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.