CAR T-cell therapy targeting TAG72 for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer
Official title: A Phase 1 Study to Evaluate Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells Targeting TAG72 in Patients with Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11336746 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tries a CAR T‑cell treatment that targets the TAG72 protein for people with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer, given directly into the abdomen.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $704,036 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA266874-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11336746 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer whose tumors express TAG72 and who are medically fit for a phase 1 cellular therapy at City of Hope would be most suitable.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors lack TAG72 expression, who have uncontrolled infections or serious organ dysfunction, or who are too frail for intensive treatment may not benefit or be eligible.
What this research studies
If you join, doctors will collect your T cells, modify them in the lab to recognize the TAG72 protein on tumor cells, expand them, and deliver the engineered cells into your peritoneal (abdominal) space. This is an early-phase (Phase 1) effort focused on safety, finding a tolerable dose, and seeing initial signs of activity against peritoneal metastases and ascites. The team developed the TAG72 CAR at City of Hope and found encouraging results in laboratory and animal tests, and they plan regional (intraperitoneal) delivery to improve tumor access. You will be closely monitored for side effects and for any tumor response over follow-up visits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce abdominal tumor burden and control peritoneal spread for people with recurrent ovarian cancer who have few other options.
How similar studies have gone: CAR T therapies have been highly successful in some blood cancers but have had limited results in solid tumors, so this TAG72-targeted, intraperitoneal strategy is novel and early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Lorna — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Lorna
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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TAG72 CAR-T therapy for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer
A targeted CAR-T cell therapy delivered into the abdomen for women with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer to attack cancer cells expressing TAG72.
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Liquid biopsy clues: plasma bacteria as early warning for epithelial ovarian cancer
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Understanding how cancer cells talk to the immune system and how to use that to treat ovarian cancer
This grant studies how aging-like changes in ovarian cancer cells drive harmful signals and tests new ways to block those signals to improve treatment.
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Targeting the immune system to help treat recurrent ovarian cancer
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Th17-inducing vaccine plus pembrolizumab for recurrent ovarian cancer
A phase I/II study tests a vaccine that activates Th17 immune cells together with pembrolizumab to help fight recurrent ovarian cancer.
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How fat use changes make ovarian cancer more invasive and chemo‑resistant
This project looks at whether shifts in how ovarian cancer cells use fats make them more likely to spread and resist chemotherapy for people with epithelial ovarian cancer.
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.