B7-H3 CAR-T therapy for pancreatic cancer in a phase I study
Official title: Project 2: Combined CAR-T cell therapy
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11416754 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new CAR-T treatment targeting B7-H3 is being tested in people with pancreatic cancer to see if it is safe and helps fight tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $421,381 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA257911-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416754 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are eligible for a phase I CAR-T trial and consent to participate.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions not involving PDAC or who are not eligible for CAR-T trials may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports a first-in-human trial of B7-H3 CAR-T cells in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The study includes a safety switch (iC9) to shut off the CAR-T cells if needed and aims to assess both safety and signs of anti-tumor activity. Researchers have shown activity in mouse models and are now moving toward a Phase I clinical trial at UNC Chapel Hill. The project plans to address the tumor microenvironment and ensure targeted activity against cancer cells while minimizing harm to normal tissues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive a novel immunotherapy that targets PDAC with controlled safety features and potential tumor reduction.
How similar studies have gone: Prior CAR-T approaches work well in blood cancers but have faced challenges in solid tumors; this project extends that approach with a new target and safety switch.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dotti, Gianpietro — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Dotti, Gianpietro
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
SynthNode: A new, easier way to make CAR T cells for better cancer treatment
A new implantable device called SynthNode could simplify and lower the cost of CAR T cell therapy, helping patients with lymphoma, myeloma, and potentially solid tumors or lupus.
-
Intraperitoneal CAR T cells for peritoneal mesothelioma
A new approach uses CAR T cells delivered directly into the abdominal cavity to target mesothelioma, aiming to help people whose disease is confined to the abdomen.
-
Photobiomodulation to Boost CAR-T Cell Therapy for B-Cell Cancers
A patient-facing overview of using light-based therapy to improve CAR-T cell treatment for B-cell cancers, aiming for better effectiveness and lower costs.
-
Targeting death receptors to boost MET-CAR T cells for glioblastoma
Aims to make MET-CAR T cells work better against glioblastoma by using radiation to trigger death receptors on tumor cells.
-
CTO1681: reducing dangerous immune reactions in patients getting CAR T-cell therapy
A new oral drug (CTO1681) aims to prevent and lessen cytokine release syndrome in patients with blood cancers treated with CAR T-cell therapy.
-
CD2-targeted CAR-T therapy for T-cell lymphoma in a multi-center program
A patient-focused overview of a research grant that aims to improve CAR-T cell therapy for T-cell lymphoma by exploring CD2 as a new target and enhancing allogeneic CAR-T safety features.
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.