Creating engineered T cells to fight aggressive breast cancer
Official title: Development of CD4 TCR-engineered T cell immunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer
Funded at Immunova Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-11007018 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment for triple-negative breast cancer that uses specially modified immune cells to help your body fight the cancer better, and it's aimed at patients who haven't had success with other treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Immunova Therapeutics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Monrovia, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,001,029 |
| NIH project number | 1R44CA295183-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11007018 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer who have limited treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-breast cancers or those whose tumors do not express the targeted antigens may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new type of immunotherapy using engineered T cells specifically designed to target triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is known for its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. The approach involves creating CD4+ T cells that are modified to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. By enhancing the immune response against TNBC, the goal is to improve patient outcomes and provide a new therapeutic option for those who have not responded to existing treatments. Patients may be involved in trials to assess the safety and effectiveness of this innovative therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel and effective treatment option for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using engineered T cell therapies for various cancers, suggesting potential success for this approach in treating TNBC.
Where this research is happening
-
Immunova Therapeutics, LLC
Monrovia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Yicheng — Immunova Therapeutics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Wang, Yicheng
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Rac-enhanced CAR-Macrophages against TNBC
A new cell therapy approach uses engineered macrophages with a CAR and Rac2 activation to target and kill triple-negative breast cancer cells expressing CSPG4.
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Determinants of Response to DNA-Damaging Radiation and Immunotherapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
This grant explores why some people with triple-negative breast cancer respond to a combo of radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy and why others don’t, to guide more personalized treatment.
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New immunotherapy combo for hard-to-treat triple-negative breast cancer
Aims to test a combination immunotherapy with JNK inhibitors to improve treatment for people with triple-negative breast cancer.
-
Reprogrammed exosome immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer
A new treatment approach uses engineered exosomes to stimulate the immune system to fight triple-negative breast cancer in patients.
-
Engineered CD4+ T cells targeting KK‑LC‑1 for triple‑negative breast cancer
This project creates engineered CD4+ T cells that recognize the KK‑LC‑1 tumor antigen to help people with HLA‑DR13-positive triple‑negative breast cancer.
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Why some triple-negative breast cancers respond to radiation plus immunotherapy and others resist
This project looks at whether patterns of tumor cell death and immune signals can predict and improve responses to radiation combined with anti-PD1 immunotherapy for people with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes.
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.