CD19-directed CAR-NK cells for systemic autoimmune diseases
Official title: Mechanisms of response to CD19 redirected PluriReceptor NK cells in systemic autoimmunity
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11461923 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new off-the-shelf immune cell therapy using engineered NK cells to help people with systemic sclerosis and lupus who have not responded to standard treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $421,040 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR088178-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11461923 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with systemic sclerosis or systemic lupus erythematosus who have not responded adequately to standard treatments and are eligible for cellular therapy research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild disease, stable symptoms, or those unable to participate in early-phase cell therapy trials may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant explores a next-generation immune-cell therapy that uses allogeneic NK cells engineered with a CD19-directed CAR to potentially modify disease activity in autoimmune conditions like systemic sclerosis and SLE. The project builds on prior CAR-NK experiences in cancer and aims to adapt the platform to safely target autoimmunity, using modular AD-PluReceptor-NK cells that can be combined with approved antibodies. The research includes preclinical work and planning for early human studies to evaluate safety, feasibility, and initial signals of efficacy in patients with refractory disease. The investigators emphasize manufacturing advantages, reduced risk of graft-versus-host disease, and lower rates of cytokine release syndrome, with a goal of making an off-the-shelf therapy more accessible. Overall, the work seeks to translate a novel cellular therapy into options for patients with difficult-to-treat autoimmune diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with hard-to-treat systemic sclerosis or SLE could gain a new, ready-to-use therapy that may reduce disease activity and improve quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Prior autologous CD19 CAR-T approaches showed clinical benefits in refractory autoimmune cases, and this project aims to translate and improve on those concepts with an off-the-shelf CAR-NK platform.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Assassi, Shervin — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Assassi, Shervin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Administrative and Engagement Core to support Cancer Control efforts
This grant funds a team that helps coordinate, communicate, and engage with communities to advance cancer control efforts.
-
Administrative and Engagement Core for Cancer Control
A core team will coordinate administration, communications, and community engagement to support cancer control efforts across several Texas institutions.
-
Understanding how neural crest cells shape the bones of the skull
A researcher will study how signals control the skull’s sutures, with potential to improve diagnosis and treatment of conditions like craniosynostosis.
-
Alzheimer’s disease and related brain changes linked to chemicals in the body
This NIH grant supports a patient-centered effort to map how environmental exposures and body chemistry relate to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
-
Understanding how everyday exposures affect Alzheimer's disease progression
A national research effort is studying how environmental exposures, gut health, diet, and metabolism relate to Alzheimer's and related dementias to identify new ways to diagnose and treat these conditions.
-
How environment, gut health, and metabolism affect Alzheimer’s disease
This grant looks at how environmental exposures, gut microbes, diet, and metabolism influence Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
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.