CAR-T therapy targeting glioblastoma and its surroundings
Official title: Targeting Glioblastoma Cells and Tumor Microenvironment with CAR-T Cell Therapy
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11377177 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $801,379 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA211015-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377177 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with glioblastoma or recurrent brain cancer who may be eligible for future immunotherapy trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without glioblastoma or those not eligible for CAR-T based approaches may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This grant explores a novel CAR-T cell therapy tuned to the IL-13Rα2 target in glioblastoma, designed to also release IL-12 and related signals to boost anti-tumor activity in the brain. The study combines preclinical evidence with plans to move toward patient-relevant strategies, aiming to overcome the brain’s immune-suppressive environment. If successful, this work could pave the way for future trials testing more effective immunotherapy for glioblastoma patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with glioblastoma could receive a more powerful immunotherapy that targets the tumor and reshapes its environment to fight the cancer more effectively.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary CAR-T approaches have shown safety in related targets, with ongoing exploration to improve effectiveness in glioblastoma.
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
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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.