Using virus-trained immune cells to help fight solid tumors
Therapeutically harnessing anti-viral resident memory T cells in solid tumors
This project will try reawakening virus-fighting immune cells inside tumors to help people with solid cancers.
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 ID | NIH-11250987 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will focus on immune cells inside tumors that remember past viral infections and are less worn out than cancer-specific cells. They will use small pieces of viral proteins (peptides) to wake these cells and test whether that sparks tumor-killing activity. Work will combine laboratory mouse experiments with studies of human tumor samples and may test combinations with existing immune checkpoint drugs. The team will study how these cells kill cancer and how best to deliver the treatment so any benefit lasts.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with solid tumors who are eligible for early-phase immunotherapy studies and who may have prior viral immunity could be good candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors lack virus-specific resident memory T cells or who cannot receive immunotherapy due to autoimmune disease or strong immunosuppression may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new immunotherapies that use a patient’s own virus-specific immune cells to shrink tumors and lower the chance of cancer coming back.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies in mice have shown tumor control when virus-specific resident memory T cells are reactivated, but applying this approach in people is new.
Where this research is happening
Hanover, United States
- Dartmouth College — Hanover, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosato, Pamela — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Rosato, Pamela
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.