Clearing harmful old cells with CAR T immune cells
Deconstructing aging with senolytic CAR T cells
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY · NIH-11184345
This project uses engineered CAR T immune cells to find and remove senescent (old, damaged) cells that build up with age and can drive age-related problems.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (COLD SPRING HARBOR, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11184345 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are looking for proteins on the surface of senescent cells that appear during aging so they can better identify and isolate those cells. They will study the biology of these senescent cells and use the identified surface markers to design CAR T immune cells that selectively target and kill them. The work will be done in the lab and in preclinical models at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory to test how well the approach clears senescent cells and reduces inflammation. The ultimate aim is to pave the way for therapies that reduce tissue damage and dysfunction tied to accumulated senescent cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be older adults with age-related conditions thought to be driven by accumulated senescent cells, though the project is currently preclinical.
Not a fit: Young healthy people or patients whose conditions are unrelated to cellular senescence are unlikely to benefit from this work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to treatments that remove harmful senescent cells and reduce inflammation and decline from age-related conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Related senolytic drugs and some preclinical CAR T approaches have shown promise in lab and animal studies, but CAR T targeting of senescent cells for aging remains largely novel.
Where this research is happening
COLD SPRING HARBOR, UNITED STATES
- COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY — COLD SPRING HARBOR, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: AMOR VEGAS, CORINA — COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY
- Study coordinator: AMOR VEGAS, CORINA
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.