B7-H3 CAR T cells after initial radiation for children and young adults with DIPG
Official title: B7-H3 CAR T cells following initial radiation for children and young adults with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11335575 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new treatment approach uses B7-H3 CAR T cells after initial radiation to help children and young adults with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma feel better and live longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $473,363 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA289981-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11335575 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and young adults with newly diagnosed or recurrent DIPG who have completed initial radiation and meet eligibility criteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with DIPG who are not eligible for intracranial CART dosing or who have contraindications to the therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports testing a CAR T cell therapy targeted at B7-H3 in DIPG patients after their first course of radiation. The project builds on a prior trial (BC-03) and plans to dose repeatedly via intracranial administration while monitoring safety and efficacy. Advanced brain imaging and CSF biomarkers will be used to understand how the therapy works and who benefits most, with the aim of informing a phase 2 trial. Participants would be children or young adults with DIPG who have completed initial radiation and meet study criteria. The work centers on translating promising preclinical results into a second-line immunotherapy option for this fatal pediatric brain tumor.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could extend survival and provide better disease control for DIPG patients who have already received radiation.
How similar studies have gone: Early clinical data from BC-03 showed signals of safety and potential efficacy at the highest planned dose in a subset of patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vitanza, Nicholas a — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Vitanza, Nicholas a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting the ATIC enzyme in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG)
Researchers are testing ways to block a metabolic enzyme called ATIC to try to slow or stop aggressive DIPG tumors in children.
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Investigating a new treatment target for a deadly childhood brain cancer
This study is looking at a new way to fight a tough brain cancer called DIPG in kids by targeting a specific molecule that might help the tumors grow, with hopes of finding better treatments to help these children.
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Peptide vaccine targeting CMV for children with high-grade glioma, DIPG, and recurrent medulloblastoma
This vaccine trains the immune system to target a viral protein (CMV pp65) that is often found in certain pediatric brain tumors to help slow or shrink the tumor.
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Using targeted therapy to treat a deadly brain tumor in children
This study is testing a new treatment for children with a tough brain tumor called DIPG, using special molecules to target a specific gene mutation in the tumor, with the hope of helping kids live longer and healthier lives.
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Using B7-H3 CAR T cells after radiation to treat a deadly brain tumor in children and young adults
This study is testing a new treatment using special immune cells called B7-H3 CAR T cells for children and young adults with a tough brain tumor called DIPG, hoping to help them live longer after their initial radiation therapy.
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Targeting a specific mutation in brain tumors with RNA nanoparticles
This study is testing a new treatment for kids with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a tough-to-treat brain tumor, by using special mRNA vaccines that help the immune system fight the cancer, and it hopes to eventually help children with this condition.
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.