What limits adenovirus-based cancer treatments

Mechanistic factors limiting utility of adenovirus vectors for treatment of neopla

NIH-funded research Emory University · NIH-11319733

This work looks at why virus-based cancer therapies kill tumor cells in the lab but sometimes fail in animals or patients, aiming to make these treatments work better for people with lung and other solid tumors.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEmory University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Atlanta, United States)
Project IDNIH-11319733 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

From a patient's perspective, the researchers are using human tumor cells and mouse models of lung cancer to follow how adenovirus vectors interact with tumors and the immune system. They give different virus doses and study why some animals become “non-responders” with activated myeloid cells that may blunt therapy. The team is testing the idea of a reparative immune response that is triggered by rapid tumor cell killing and then limits overall benefit. Findings are preclinical but are intended to guide safer, more effective designs for future human trials.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for future trials informed by this work would be people with advanced or metastatic lung cancer or other solid tumors who are eligible for virus-based therapy trials.

Not a fit: Patients without cancer, those with cancers not suitable for virus-based approaches, or people seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help design adenovirus-based cancer therapies that are more effective and safer for patients with lung and other solid tumors.

How similar studies have performed: Virus-based cancer therapies have shown promise in lab studies and some early clinical work but clinical success has been mixed, so this project targets unresolved mechanisms limiting benefit.

Where this research is happening

Atlanta, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.