Creating a special gel to improve CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors
Official title: Development of a Tunable Protein Release Hydrogel for the Enhancement of CAR T cell Activity
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-10998201 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new gel that can be placed in tumors to help CAR T cell therapy work better for patients with solid tumors, aiming to improve treatment results while reducing side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $41,423 |
| NIH project number | 1F31CA288157-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10998201 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with solid tumors who are considering or currently undergoing CAR T cell therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hematologic malignancies or those who do not qualify for CAR T cell therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy, particularly for solid tumors, by developing a unique hydrogel that can be implanted into the tumor site. The hydrogel is designed to release specific proteins and cytokines that help CAR T cells function better in the challenging tumor environment. By using a split CAR T cell approach, the hydrogel aims to reduce adverse effects while improving the immune response against cancer cells. Patients may benefit from a more effective treatment option that minimizes side effects associated with traditional CAR T therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective CAR T cell therapies for patients with solid tumors, potentially improving their treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in CAR T cell therapies, this specific approach using a tunable hydrogel is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adams, Sarah C — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Adams, Sarah C
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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.