Armored CAR T cells that can be tracked in the body using advanced imaging
Official title: Interrogating the in vivo pharmacokinetics of armored CARs with radiohapten capture
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11326428 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies enhanced CAR T cells that carry a built-in imageable tag so doctors can see how they move and work inside the body in people with blood cancers and related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $527,449 |
| NIH project number | 4R37CA262557-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11326428 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with B-cell malignancies or related conditions who are candidates for CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy and are eligible for imaging-based tracking.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving CAR T-cell therapy or unable to undergo the imaging procedures may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project aims to translate a novel imaging approach for tracking CAR T cells that express CD40L and a reporter, so clinicians can monitor where the cells go, how well they expand, and when they may fail. The team will optimize a radiohapten capture system and an improved reporter for PET/SPECT imaging to be used in humans. The work builds on successful animal studies to enable real-time, noninvasive observation of CAR T-cell kinetics in patients. By understanding in vivo behavior, researchers hope to improve the durability and effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy for relapsed or resistant disease. The study will address safety, feasibility, and translational readiness for clinical use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from more precise monitoring of CAR T-cell therapy, potentially guiding treatment decisions and improving responses.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical imaging approaches have shown that in vivo tracking of CAR T cells is feasible, with translation to humans being the next step.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krebs, Simone — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Krebs, Simone
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.