Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) awarded The Washington University a $399,829 Project Grant on May 13, 2026, under the Cancer Treatment Research program (CFDA 93.395) to support research into novel dendritic cell-based immunotherapy for solid tumors. The project will deliver mechanistic characterization and preclinical development of AB7H3-TLR4 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) dendritic cells (DCs)—engineered immune cells designed to overcome tumor immune tolerance by targeting the B7H3 tumor-associated antigen. The research will dissect the distinct roles of MyD88 and TRIF signaling pathways downstream of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to elucidate how these engineered DCs efficiently capture tumor antigens, upregulate costimulatory molecules, and cross-prime naive CD8 T cells to achieve tumor rejection and durable immune memory.

The deliverables span two primary research aims through the project completion date of April 30, 2028. Aim 1 will define the role of MyD88 in acute T-cell priming and effector differentiation, while Aim 2 will characterize the role of TRIF in long-term memory and recall responses. By providing a mechanistic roadmap for rationally designing DC-based therapies that maximize both immediate tumor control and sustained immune protection, this research is expected to advance more effective immunotherapy treatments across a broad range of solid tumors and inform future clinical translation of CAR-DC platforms.