# 1/2 Pilot Project 1: Langston University-UNTHSC Partnership for Cancer Research and Education

> **NIH NIH P20** · LANGSTON UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $39,389

## Abstract

Abstract
Approximately 90% of deaths due to breast cancer are from metastatic tumor spread to distal organs.
Secondary lung metastases are identified in 30-55% of these patients and unfortunately the 5-year survival
rate is only 30-40% for surgical resection and chemo-radio treatments. These poor outcomes signify a critical
need to further understand the mechanisms impacting tumor metastasis. The long-term goal of our research
is to design innovative approaches that increase the immune system's ability to prevent lung tumor metastasis
through an increased knowledge of anti-tumor immunity. Current immune-based strategies that implement
soluble cytokines and antibodies have been introduced in clinical and pre-clinical trials to broadly boost
immune responses against cancers. However, off-target organ damage and immune tolerance has significantly
limited their use. Particle-based nanotechnology is emerging as a feasible approach to manipulate immune
function. However, we do not fully understand how these components influence immune phenotype and
function as a predictor of tumor cell escape and the efficacy of nanoparticle use could benefit improve immune
therapy. Based on previous literature findings and our own preliminary findings described in this application,
our central hypotheses are: 1) Intranasal administration of CPG bound to the surface of NP-encapsulated
tumor antigen induces protective lung mucosal immune protection against secondary lung tumor metastases
and 2) Metabolites produced within primary and secondary lung tumor microenvironments dictate tumor
immune escape and metastasis. To address our hypotheses, we propose the following two Specific Aims:
Aim 1) To determine the efficacy of intranasal delivery of NP-based tumor vaccine as a prophylactic approach
against metastatic lung lesions. Aim 2) To establish a metabolomics-based experimental approach used to
define primary and metastatic tumor microenvironments. Through this collaborative Pilot Project with Dr. Byron
Quinn of Langston University, we expect our findings we shed light of currently unknown mediators of anti-
tumor responses that will be potentially useful in the development of novel immune-based targeted
nanoparticle in cancer therapy. In addition, we anticipate that this pilot proposal will positively impact the
building of a collaborative P20 in Cancer Research between Langston University and its partner, The
University of North Texas Health Science Center.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10248469
- **Project number:** 5P20CA233391-04
- **Recipient organization:** LANGSTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Byron N Quinn
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $39,389
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10248469

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10248469, 1/2 Pilot Project 1: Langston University-UNTHSC Partnership for Cancer Research and Education (5P20CA233391-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10248469. Licensed CC0.

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