MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research

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MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research

Bringing MIT’s scientists and engineers together to advance the fight against cancer.

The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, a National Cancer Institute-designated Basic Cancer Research Center, is the hub of cancer research on the MIT campus. Bringing together biologists, chemists, engineers, computer scientists, clinicians, and others in a state-of-the-art facility, the Koch Institute oﬀers fresh perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches to advancing the ﬁght against cancer. Koch Institute investigators are focused on ﬁve research areas that are believed to be critical for rapid progress toward controlling cancer: nanotechnology-based cancer therapeutics, detection and monitoring, metastasis, precision cancer medicine, and cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Working within the vibrant MIT research community and with external collaborators, including NCI-designated clinical cancer centers and biotech/pharma partners, the Koch Institute is dedicated to developing novel insights into cancer, as well as new tools and technologies to better detect, treat, and prevent the disease.

01/22/2026

Glioblastoma has remained stubbornly resistant to immunotherapy in part because it recruits macrophages to support tumor growth while suppressing the ability of T cells to infiltrate and attack tumors.

But a new study from a research team led by Forest White and including Stefani Spranger and former KI member Darrell Irvine, has identified new therapeutic targets in both glioblastoma cells and macrophages that could improve treatment when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The team discovered that these new immunostimulatory therapies slowed tumor growth in mouse models — and in some cases eliminated tumors entirely.

https://buff.ly/uf1RYtW

01/16/2026

Cancer cells can suppress immune responses by engaging sugar-based immune checkpoints.

In a new study published in Nature Biotechnology, Jessica Stark and Carolyn Bertozzi
show how a novel checkpoint blockade strategy using AbLecs (antibody-lectin hybrids) can block glycan-mediated immune suppression and enhance anti-tumor immunity across multiple cancer types.

https://mit-ki.org/3LjeSud

01/07/2026

Research from Patrick Doyle's team offers a new way to deliver antibodies packaged into microparticles that could be injected with a syringe. This breakthrough could make treatment much easier for patients by avoiding the need for lengthy & often uncomfortable infusions.

https://mit-ki.org/4aHnV27

01/02/2026

Koch Institute researchers from the Hemann, Yilmaz, and Lippard labs have engineered a “dual warhead” therapy that preserves the strength of anthracyclines while bypassing efflux pump–driven drug resistance. The Nature Communications study shows extended survival in mouse models of metastatic colon cancer and highlights a new strategy to counter chemoresistance and enhance existing treatments.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-64295-0

01/01/2026

Can we demystify endometriosis?

On NPR’s Science Fridays, Linda Griffith highlights challenges in endometriosis—from ‘squeamishness’ around basic conversations to difficulties in clinical diagnosis—and promising research innovations in modeling and treatment. Her own patient-derived models are advancing this work, including collaborative efforts via the MIT Stem Cell Initiative to understand biological structures that may help maintain healthy endometrium and its stem-like properties.

https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/science-friday/articles/endometriosis-is-common-why-is-getting-diagnosed-so-hard

12/30/2025

Happy New Year from the Koch Institute! Wishing our community a year filled with discovery, collaboration, and progress.

12/29/2025

MIT Technology Review shines a spotlight on the cutting-edge work taking place in Giovanni Traverso’s lab. From ingestible biosensor pills to capsules that can replace insulin shots, Traverso is focused on improving patients’ lives.

“At the core of what we do is really thinking about the patient, the person, and how we can help make their life better,” Traverso says.

https://mit-ki.org/3KOLL1u

12/26/2025

Although immunotherapy has been a game-changer for several cancers, its success in ovarian and other tumors remains quite limited.

New nanoparticles developed through a Marble Center for Cancer Nanomedicine collaboration between the Hammond and former Irvine labs elicit a better response by delivering an immune-stimulating molecule called IL-12 directly to ovarian tumors.

https://mit-ki.org/48OB1Iv

12/24/2025

Mini Brains, Major Insights: Robert Langer and Li-Huei Tsai have developed “miBrains,” a 3D human brain tissue platform that models disease and aids drug testing. Cultured from donors’ iPSCs, it integrates all major brain cell types. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3rM7iBrainsX

12/19/2025

Elicio Therapeutics reports encouraging results from its Phase 2 trial of a KRAS-targeted cancer vaccine. The vaccine generated immune responses in 99% of evaluable pancreatic cancer patients, with 88% responding to their own tumor-specific mutation.
https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/elicio-reports-strong-immune-responses-in-phase-2-kras-cancer-vaccine-trial-93CH-4342758

12/18/2025

As the year draws to a close, we’re excited to spotlight some of the most innovative and impactful research from the Koch Institute this year.

Some highlights from 2025 include:Ovarian Immunotherapy Hits the Gas — Nanoparticles delivering IL‑12 with checkpoint therapy cleared metastatic ovarian tumors in mice and generated immune memory. https://ki.mit.edu/news/2025/ovarian-immunotherapy-hits-the-gas

A Better, Faster, Cheaper CAR — A streamlined CAR‑NK cell platform could bring off‑the-shelf immunotherapy closer to reality. https://ki.mit.edu/news/2025/a-better-faster-cheaper-car

Antibodies make better bottlebrushes — Antibody‑guided polymer “bottlebrushes” deliver concentrated chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, eradicating most tumors in mouse models. https://ki.mit.edu/news/2025/antibodies-make-better-bottlebrushes

Machine learning helps nanoparticles make the grade — Researchers applied machine learning to design more efficient lipid nanoparticles for RNA therapies, blending AI and nanomedicine to accelerate drug delivery innovation. https://ki.mit.edu/news/2025/machine-learning-helps-nanoparticles-make-the-grade

From Dormant to Dangerous — New insight into how dormant cancer cells “wake up”: inflammation and certain immune cell signals trigger reactivation. Cells may retain an “awakening memory,” a key clue to preventing relapse. https://ki.mit.edu/news/2025/from-dormant-to-dangerous

We’re looking forward to the breakthroughs of 2026. Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest news: https://ki.mit.edu/news/newsletter/subscription

12/12/2025

The Anderson and Langer Labs are using machine learning to accelerate lipid nanoparticle design. By evaluating 1.6 million lipids in silico, they identified promising formulations for mRNA delivery to the lungs, advancing gene therapy development. https://mit-ki.org/3XGLIaP

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