# MAIT cells as a therapeutic approach for gastrointestinal cancers

> **NIH NIH R21** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2024 · $384,092

## Abstract

Project Summary
Colon cancer remains the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer and the 3rd highest cancer related mortalities
in both men and women. Tumors are often resected, but there are less treatment options available for those
diagnosed in later stages. Immunotherapy has had mixed results in colon cancer and thus, new therapeutic
strategies are needed to improve outcome for particularly late stage patients. We have been examining
mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells as a subset of T cells that display innate effector qualities, with the
potential to be harnessed as HLA-independent immunotherapeutic agents.
We have found that MAIT cells have the potential to decrease tumor growth and have identified a potential
mechanism by which MAIT cells enhance innate immune cell responses in order to promote anti-tumor
immunity. Based on our novel preliminary data, we propose to test the hypothesis that MAIT cells have the
capacity for anti-tumor effects, through both direct cytotoxicity in a T cell receptor-dependent manner, and
indirect mechanisms through the recruitment of innate immune cells. To test this hypothesis, we propose
carefully designed experiments to examine the potential of MAIT cells for therapeutic potential using primary
human cells in organoid models and mouse tumors in therapeutic approaches in preclinical models.
Furthermore, we will test this therapeutic approach in combination with checkpoint therapy to enhance anti-
tumor cytotoxic activity. Data collected for this project could lead to a novel immunotherapy approach for
gastrointestinal cancers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10865685
- **Project number:** 1R21CA280224-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Ellen J. Beswick
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $384,092
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-05-03 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10865685

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10865685, MAIT cells as a therapeutic approach for gastrointestinal cancers (1R21CA280224-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10865685. Licensed CC0.

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