CAR T cells that produce T-cell-engaging antibodies for glioblastoma
Bioactivity of CAR T cells secreting T cell engager-anitbodies in humans with glioblastoma
A personalized immune treatment using your own T cells engineered to target glioblastoma and recruit other T cells to help destroy the tumor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11195064 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have immune cells (T cells) collected from your blood and modified to carry a receptor against a tumor mutation (EGFRvIII) and to release an antibody that links tumor EGFR to T cells so more immune cells can attack the cancer. The modified cells are planned to be delivered directly into or near the brain tumor and your medical team would closely monitor for side effects, immune activity in the tumor, and changes in tumor size. Early lab and animal work showed these cells can target tumors that express EGFRvIII or EGFR while largely staying out of the bloodstream, but doctors will watch carefully for adverse events in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with glioblastoma whose tumors express EGFR or EGFRvIII and who are medically able to undergo cell collection and intracranial delivery would be the best candidates.
Not a fit: People whose tumors lack EGFR/EGFRvIII expression, who have severe immune suppression, or who cannot tolerate cell collection or neurosurgical delivery are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: May improve tumor killing in glioblastoma, including tumors without the EGFRvIII mutation, by engaging additional T cells in the tumor environment.
How similar studies have performed: Prior CAR‑T trials in glioblastoma showed some tumor targeting but limited durability and antigen loss, so the TEAM-secreting CAR‑T approach is novel with promising preclinical results but limited human data so far.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maus, Marcela Valderrama — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Maus, Marcela Valderrama
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.