CD26-high CAR T therapy targeting mesothelin for advanced pancreatic cancer
Leveraging CD26high Meso-CAR T cells in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer
Using CAR T cells made from CD26-high immune cells and grown with the drug duvelisib to try to better attack mesothelin-positive tumors in people with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11256716 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, your immune cells would be collected and the CD4+ T cells with high CD26 levels would be selected and engineered with a CAR that recognizes mesothelin, a protein often found on pancreatic tumors. Those CAR T cells would be expanded in the lab using duvelisib to preserve their self-renewal and improve their metabolism before being given back to you. The team will test these cells in models and translate the manufacturing approach for use in patients, then monitor how the cells behave and how your tumor and immune system respond. The goal is to change the tumor environment so suppressive cells are reduced and the CAR T cells can work more effectively.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with advanced or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma whose tumors express mesothelin and who can undergo leukapheresis and CAR T infusion are the likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not express mesothelin, who cannot donate T cells, or who have severe organ dysfunction or uncontrolled infections are unlikely to benefit from this therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This approach could produce longer-lasting, more active CAR T cells that improve tumor control for people with advanced pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Mesothelin-targeted CAR T therapies have shown early signals in solid tumors but limited clinical success to date, and using CD26-high cells with duvelisib during manufacturing is a newer, less-tested strategy.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lesinski, Gregory B. — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Lesinski, Gregory B.
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.