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University of Massachusetts Amherst

240 Thatcher Road
Amherst, MA 01003
United States

Targeted nanoparticle-mediated “cold”-to-“hot” reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment of high-risk neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma

This project seeks to develop a targeted nanoparticle therapy that harnesses proinflammatory innate immune cells to reprogram TME immunity in high-risk NB. Currently, survival for high-risk metastatic NB remains ~50% at 5 years, even with chemotherapy given at maximal tolerated dosing, which itself imparts debilitating long-term sequelae in >90% of survivors.

Developing and testing multi-targeted immunomodulatory nanoparticles for treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma.”

Neuroblastoma

Mentor Name: Prabhani Atukorale

The aggressive nature of pediatric neuroblastoma can be linked to the complex tumor microenvironment’s anti-therapeutic nature. Currently, only 15-25% of patients respond effectively to checkpoint-mediated immune cell therapy. To address this, our project focuses on altering the tumor microenvironment to favor T cell therapy.

Featured Hero

Chris Ramirez

Chris loves baseball – he has a history of playing for his high school team and is a longtime fan of the San Francisco Giants. However, when he was in high school, Chris began having strange symptoms. Today, Chris is a three-time survivor of glioblastoma.
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