Friday, November 21, 2025 11/21/2025

Anti-cancer vaccine targeting the host-parasite interface during fluke infection

Award Number: R01CA164719
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/21/2012
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2029

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Anti-cancer vaccine targeting the host-parasite interface during fluke infection - Project Summary Liver fluke infection with Opisthorchis viverrini remains problematic in East Asia and is endemic in Thailand and Laos, where ~10 million people are infected. The public health implications of this situation are substantial since there is no stronger link between a human malignancy and a eukaryotic pathogen than that between cholangiocarcinoma (CCA, bile duct cancer) and infection with O. viverrini. Northeast Thailand reports the highest incidence of CCA worldwide, with the 2014 CCA age standardized incidence rate (ASR) of 85 per 100,000, which equates to 26,000 CCA-related deaths annually. The contrast with countries without liver flukes is stark given that incidence of CCA is less than 3 per 100,000 elsewhere (USA, 1.67 ASR, 2014). To survive in the biliary tract, the liver fluke actively releases excretory/secretory (ES) proteins and extracellular vesicles (EVs) that facilitate fluke feeding and manipulation of the host immune response, and ultimately modify cellular homeostasis that contributes to malignant transformation. Our hypothesis is that targeting proteins that are essential for several discrete facets of parasitism and/or are known carcinogens via a multi-valent vaccine will deliver a novel anti-infection/ anti-cancer therapy. We will address this hypothesis through the following aims: Aim 1. Explore the importance of key fluke ES proteins in host-parasite communication and leverage the findings to prioritize their selection as vaccine antigens. Aim 2. Determine whether mRNA and/or protein subunit vaccines induce antibodies that reduce both fluke burdens and CCA incidence in the hamster infection-cancer model. This proposal targets liver fluke ES proteins which drive the phenotypic hallmarks of cancer in the biliary epithelium: 1) the granulin-like growth factor, Ov-GRN-1, known to induce rampant cholangiocyte proliferation; 2) the tetraspanin, Ov-TSP-2, a key element of EVs and host-cell communication; 3) the Ov-catF cysteine protease, a key component of the protein digestion cascade; and 4) the Ov-M60mucinase which degrades host defensive mucus in the bile ducts. The conceptual innovation we utilize is a rodent model of human carcinogenesis where liver fluke infection is a known risk factor. Technical innovations include gene knockout in the liver fluke, targeting key pathogenic and nutritional processes, and combining the findings to develop vaccination against fluke infection and the infection-induced cancer. These studies will determine whether fluke proteins that communicate at the host-parasite interface represent the Achilles’ heel of this carcinogenic parasite. Targeting fluke-host communication in combination with nutrient acquisition pathways may ultimately combat liver fluke-induced bile duct cancer in the form of an anti-fluke, and indeed anti-cancer vaccine, a public health development with the potential to benefit millions of (often impoverished) residents of endemic regions in East Asia.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $195,858 )
2025	2025	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (THE)	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Biology Research	003	12	9/18/2025	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$56,808
2025	2025	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (THE)	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Biology Research	004	12	9/19/2025	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$139,050
2025	2024	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (THE)	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Biology Research	002	11	3/5/2025	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$35,705
2025	2024	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (THE)	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	11	11/18/2024	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2025	2022	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (THE)	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	001	10	3/5/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$35,705
														Subtotal = $195,858

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $382,600 )
2024	2024	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (THE)	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	11	8/30/2024	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$382,600
														Subtotal = $382,600

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2023	2022	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	10	11/10/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $326,864 )
2022	2022	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	10	8/17/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$326,864
														Subtotal = $326,864

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $334,003 )
2021	2021	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	9	7/19/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$334,003
														Subtotal = $334,003

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $334,942 )
2020	2020	THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	8	7/31/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$334,942
														Subtotal = $334,942

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $525,697 )
2019	2019	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	002	7	8/1/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$525,697
2019	2018	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	001	6	1/14/2019	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$4
2019	2016	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1918 F ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	5	1/14/2019	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	-$4
														Subtotal = $525,697

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $673,652 )
2018	2018	THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY	2121 I ST NW STE 601	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	6	7/18/2018	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$363,652
2018	2018	THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY	2121 I ST NW STE 601	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	001	6	9/12/2018	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$310,000
														Subtotal = $673,652

Issue Date FY: 2017 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2017	2016	THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY	2121 I ST NW STE 601	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	001	5	12/21/2016	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$233,448
2017	2015	THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY	2121 I ST NW STE 601	WASHINGTON	DC	20052	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	4	12/21/2016	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$233,448
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2016 ( Subtotal = $328,400 )
2016	2016	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY	44983 KNOLL SQUARE	ASHBURN	VA	20147	LOUDOUN	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	5	7/6/2016	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$328,400
														Subtotal = $328,400

Issue Date FY: 2015 ( Subtotal = $328,400 )
2015	2015	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY	44983 KNOLL SQUARE	ASHBURN	VA	20147	LOUDOUN	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	4	7/7/2015	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$328,400
														Subtotal = $328,400

Issue Date FY: 2014 ( Subtotal = $243,481 )
2014	2014	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY	44983 KNOLL SQUARE	ASHBURN	VA	20147	LOUDOUN	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	3	7/23/2014	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$243,481
														Subtotal = $243,481

Issue Date FY: 2013 ( Subtotal = $383,763 )
2013	2013	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY	44983 KNOLL SQUARE	ASHBURN	VA	20147	LOUDOUN	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	001	2	8/7/2013	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$75,067
2013	2013	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY	44983 KNOLL SQUARE	ASHBURN	VA	20147	LOUDOUN	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	2	7/27/2013	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$308,696
														Subtotal = $383,763

Issue Date FY: 2012 ( Subtotal = $394,800 )
2012	2012	GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY	44983 KNOLL SQUARE	ASHBURN	VA	20147	LOUDOUN	USA	Cancer Cause and Prevention Research	000	1	9/21/2012	NEW	$394,800
														Subtotal = $394,800

Grand Total All Awards = $4,452,460

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Anti-cancer vaccine targeting the host-parasite interface during fluke infection

Award Number: R01CA164719

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/21/2012

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2029

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer