Using virus-specific immune cells to fight solid tumors
Official title: Therapeutically harnessing anti-viral resident memory T cells in solid tumors
Funded at Dartmouth College · NIH-11003968 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how special immune cells that usually help fight viruses can be trained to attack solid tumors, and it's for anyone interested in new ways to improve cancer treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $445,390 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA269455-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11003968 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with solid tumors who may benefit from enhanced immune responses against their cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with tumors that do not involve viral components or those who are not responsive to immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how resident memory T cells, which are typically involved in fighting viral infections, can be harnessed to combat solid tumors. The approach involves treating these immune cells with viral peptides to enhance their ability to attack tumor cells, potentially overcoming the challenges posed by the tumor environment. By studying both mouse models and human systems, the research aims to understand the mechanisms behind tumor cell killing and how to effectively reactivate these immune cells for therapeutic use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new immunotherapy treatments that improve outcomes for patients with solid tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in utilizing immune cells for cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in immunotherapy.
Where this research is happening
-
Dartmouth College
Hanover, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosato, Pamela — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Rosato, Pamela
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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.