Using engineered immune cells to deliver light for targeted cancer treatment
Official title: Disease-homing light delivery by engineering bioluminescent immune cells for whole body precision photomedicine
Funded at Northeastern University · NIH-10775762 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to make cancer treatment better by using specially modified immune cells that can shine light right on tumors, helping to activate medicine without needing outside light, which could make treatment more effective and easier on patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 3, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $177,296 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA263452-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10775762 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with localized cancers that can benefit from photodynamic therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced metastatic cancers or those who do not respond to immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer treatment by genetically engineering immune cells to produce light directly at tumor sites. These specially designed immune cells can navigate to cancerous areas in the body, where they activate light-sensitive drugs without needing an external light source. This innovative approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of PDT while minimizing side effects associated with traditional treatments. By utilizing the body's own immune system, the research seeks to provide a more precise and less invasive treatment option for patients with various types of cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and targeted cancer treatments with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: While photodynamic therapy has been used successfully in various forms, the specific approach of using engineered immune cells for light delivery is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Northeastern University
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spring, Bryan Quilty — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Spring, Bryan Quilty
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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.