Better ways to watch immune cells fight cancer inside the body
New tools for quantitative non-invasive recording of biochemical signals
This project will develop new, non-invasive tools to watch CAR T immune cells' activity over time so people with cancer can get more durable and safer cell therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11245763 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are creating new biochemical reporters and imaging approaches that can record single immune cells' signaling (like calcium activity) while those cells move through the body. They plan to make the signals readable over medium-to-long time periods without invasive biopsies, using engineered indicators and advanced imaging in preclinical models and human-derived samples. By reading the history of T-cell signaling, the team aims to spot cells that become exhausted and to select or design CAR T cells that stay active longer against tumors. The work focuses on methods that could later be adapted for monitoring or improving CAR T therapies in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers being considered for CAR T cell therapy (especially blood cancers and investigational solid-tumor CAR T approaches) would be the most relevant group for future application or participation.
Not a fit: Patients without cancers targetable by CAR T therapy or those ineligible for cell-based treatments are unlikely to see direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help clinicians choose or engineer CAR T cells that remain effective longer, reducing relapse and improving outcomes for cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory studies have used calcium reporters to read T-cell activity and CAR T has cured some blood cancers, but long-term, single-cell, non-invasive imaging in moving immune cells is largely new and unproven.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaner, Nathan Christopher — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Shaner, Nathan Christopher
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 below.