CD19 CAR T cells given into the brain fluid for primary CNS lymphoma
Official title: Intracerebroventricular (ICV) Administration of CD19-Targeting Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells for Treatment of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11191591 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work uses CD19-directed CAR T cells delivered into the fluid around the brain to treat people with primary central nervous system lymphoma.
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 9, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $710,483 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA266611-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11191591 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with confirmed primary central nervous system lymphoma whose tumor cells express CD19 and who are medically eligible for CAR T cell therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors lack CD19, who are too frail for cellular therapy, or who have predominantly systemic (non-CNS) lymphoma are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers at City of Hope plan to deliver CD19-targeted CAR T cells directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (intracerebroventricular, ICV) so the therapy reaches lymphomas that start in the brain or spinal cord. They will use their established CAR T manufacturing process and place the cells into the brain fluid via an implanted catheter or reservoir. Animal studies from the team showed better tumor control, longer responses, and resistance to relapse with locoregional delivery compared with intravenous dosing. The project includes close safety monitoring because delivering cells into the CNS can carry specific neurological risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve tumor control and lengthen remissions for people with primary CNS lymphoma compared with current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Systemic (intravenous) CD19 CAR T therapies have worked well for many B‑cell lymphomas and shown some CNS activity, and early locoregional CAR T work in brain tumors and animal models suggests this delivery route may be more effective, but ICV CD19 CAR T for PCNSL remains relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Xiuli — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Wang, Xiuli
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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.