Boosting CAR T cell power in solid tumors by turning on transcription factors
Official title: High-throughput identification of transcription factors that enhance CAR T cell efficacy in solid tumors.
Funded at Broad Institute, INC. · NIH-11453755 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new research project tests whether turning on specific human transcription factors can make CAR T cells work better against solid tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Broad Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $439,665 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA309357-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11453755 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with solid tumors who could benefit from next-generation CAR T cell therapies may be part of future clinical translation.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage, purely non-therapeutic research or projects that do not reach human application may not benefit directly in the near term.
What this research studies
In this project, scientists will introduce a library of human transcription factors into patient-derived CAR T cells to see which factors improve their function against solid tumors. They will use an in vivo screening approach to observe how these TFs affect T cell behavior, persistence, and tumor control in a model that mirrors human biology. The goal is to identify transcription factors that reshape the T cell state to resist exhaustion and sustain anti-tumor activity. The work focuses on understanding fundamental cellular changes that could translate into more durable and effective CAR T therapies for patients with solid tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to smarter CAR T cells that stay active longer and better control solid tumors, potentially improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies targeting T cell exhaustion have shown that altering T cell programs can enhance function, though this approach is novel in its scale and specific TF screening.
Where this research is happening
-
Broad Institute, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manguso, Robert Thomas — Broad Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Manguso, Robert Thomas
Related research
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Targeting RNF166 to prevent T-cell exhaustion in solid tumors
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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.