Boosting CAR-T Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors
Improving CAR-T efficacy against solid tumors by expanding lymph node reservoirs of “stem-like” CAR-T cells
This work explores new ways to make CAR-T cell therapy more effective for people with solid tumors like breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11096049 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
CAR-T cell therapy has shown great promise for blood cancers, but it's been harder to make it work well for solid tumors. We found that CAR-T cells can get 'tired' in solid tumors, so this project aims to keep them strong and active. We are looking at how to help these special CAR-T cells, called 'stem-like' cells, grow and stay healthy in lymph nodes, which might protect them from becoming exhausted. By understanding and improving how these cells work, we hope to develop more powerful CAR-T treatments for patients with solid cancers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is foundational and aims to benefit patients with solid tumors, particularly those with breast and lung cancer, who may be candidates for future CAR-T cell therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions other than solid tumors, or those not eligible for CAR-T cell therapies, may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective and lasting CAR-T cell therapies for patients with solid tumors, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: While CAR-T therapy has succeeded in blood cancers, making it effective for solid tumors remains a challenge, and this approach to preserve CAR-T function is a novel strategy building on prior clinical observations.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Srivastava, Shivani — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Srivastava, Shivani
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.