CAR-M immunotherapy for cancer and beyond
Official title: RaceCAR-M immunotherapy for cancer and beyond
Funded at University of California Santa Barbara · NIH-11413445 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer-fighting therapy using specially engineered macrophages (CAR-M) is being explored to work where current treatments struggle, with the aim of helping patients with various cancers and related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Barbara NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Barbara, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,088,500 |
| NIH project number | 5DP1CA300850-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413445 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with cancers where macrophage-based therapies could be applicable and who meet standard safety and clinical criteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers unlikely to respond to macrophage-directed strategies or with contraindications to cellular therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant aims to develop a macrophage-based immunotherapy to improve cancer treatment by engineering cells that can better attack cancer while avoiding harm to normal tissue. Building on early safety signals from CAR-M trials, the project seeks to enhance the anti-cancer activity of macrophages and demonstrate its behavior in human cells and models. Researchers will translate basic biology from fruit flies to human cells, test in preclinical systems, and plan for early clinical application to offer a more accessible, potentially less toxic therapy. The work envisions making cellular immunotherapies safer, more effective, and easier to deploy for patients in need.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have a more effective and safer option for fighting cancer with macrophage-based therapy that may be easier to produce.
How similar studies have gone: Early CAR-M trials show safety and potential efficacy, suggesting promise but needing further improvement.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Montell, Denise J. — University of California Santa Barbara
- Study coordinator: Montell, Denise J.
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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.