CAR-T Cell Therapy for Brain Tumors
Official title: Targeting Glioblastoma Cells and Tumor Microenvironment with CAR-T Cell Therapy
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11164770 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores a new type of immune cell therapy called CAR-T cells to fight aggressive brain tumors in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2017 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $328,895 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA211015-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11164770 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults diagnosed with glioblastoma, particularly those whose tumors express specific markers like IL-13Rα2.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain tumors or those whose glioblastoma does not express the targeted antigen may not receive benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
Glioblastoma is a very aggressive brain cancer that is difficult to treat, and current therapies often have limited success. This research focuses on using your body's own immune cells, called T cells, and engineering them to specifically recognize and attack glioblastoma tumor cells. The scientists are also working to overcome the tumor's ability to suppress the immune system by adding special immune-boosting signals to these engineered T cells. This advanced approach aims to make the CAR-T cells more powerful and effective in destroying brain cancer cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could offer a new, more effective treatment option for adults with glioblastoma, potentially improving their prognosis and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous clinical trials have shown that CAR-T cell therapy targeting a similar marker is safe, and this project builds on that by adding immune-boosting elements for enhanced effectiveness.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Yvonne Yu-Hsuan — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Chen, Yvonne Yu-Hsuan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
-
CAR-T therapy targeting glioblastoma and its surroundings
A patient-facing approach using specially engineered immune cells (CAR-T cells) to attack glioblastoma tumors in the brain and modify the surrounding tumor environment.
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Engineered CAR-T immune cells to target glioblastoma and its tumor environment
Engineered CAR-T immune cells are designed to attack glioblastoma tumors and boost the local immune response in adults with GBM.
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CAR‑T cells that target glioblastoma and turn immune suppression into a boost
This project is trying a new CAR‑T cell treatment that targets a common glioblastoma marker and converts the tumor's immune‑suppressing signal into a stimulant to help people with glioblastoma fight their tumors.
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Targeting glioblastoma with advanced CAR-T cell therapy
This study is testing a new type of CAR-T cell therapy for people with glioblastoma, a tough brain cancer, to see if it can better target and attack the cancer cells while also helping the immune system fight back.
-
Small molecules to block Slit2/ROBO in glioblastoma
A study to test small molecule drugs that block Slit2/ROBO signals to help treat glioblastoma in patients.
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.