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-11210729 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special immune cells that remember past viral infections can be used to help fight cancer by boosting the body’s ability to attack tumors, and it aims to create a new treatment that could improve outcomes for cancer patients.
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) | $30,886 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA269455-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11210729 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with solid tumors who have a history of viral infections or are currently infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with tumors that do not involve viral infections or those who are not eligible for immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how resident memory T cells, which are specific to viral infections, can be utilized to enhance anti-tumor immunity in solid tumors. The approach involves reactivating these immune cells with viral peptides to overcome the immunosuppressive environment of tumors. By understanding the mechanisms of tumor cell killing and the role of viral specificity, the research aims to develop a novel immunotherapy that could improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients. The study will utilize both mouse models and human systems to explore these innovative therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new immunotherapy options that significantly improve cancer treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in leveraging immune cells for cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach could be a meaningful advancement 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.