Vaccine to boost immunity against ALK-positive lung cancer
Project 1
This project develops a vaccine to stimulate the immune system against ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer in adults whose tumors carry ALK gene rearrangements.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11190798 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Some lung cancers are driven by changes in the ALK gene and can stop responding to currently approved ALK-targeted drugs. Researchers mapped the exact ALK protein pieces that tumor cells display and confirmed those pieces trigger immune responses in lab models. In mice, an ALK-directed vaccine produced strong anti-tumor effects and even cures in preclinical tests. The team aims to turn those findings into the first therapeutic ALK vaccine for use in patients with advanced ALK+ NSCLC.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (age 21+) with advanced or recurrent ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer, particularly those whose disease progressed after ALK inhibitor treatment, would be the likely candidates.
Not a fit: People whose tumors do not have ALK rearrangements or who have other types of lung cancer are unlikely to benefit from this ALK-specific vaccine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine could control or potentially eliminate ALK-positive lung tumors that no longer respond to existing ALK drugs.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse studies showed strong anti-tumor activity and cures with an ALK vaccine, but therapeutic ALK vaccines have not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Inst — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaw, Alice T — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Shaw, Alice T
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.