NIH-funded research R37 grant

Creating new materials to improve CAR-T cell therapy production

Official title: Biomaterial Scaffolds for Ex Vivo and In Situ CAR-T Cell Production

Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11062479 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is exploring a new way to help your body make CAR-T cells right where you need them, which could make treatment for blood cancers quicker, easier, and more effective for you.

Quick facts

Grant typeR37 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project startJuly 2, 2024
Project endMarch 31, 2026
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$322,157
NIH project number5R37CA260223-06
Project IDNIH-11062479 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with blood cancers who are considering CAR-T cell therapy.

Less likely to help

Patients with solid tumors or those who are not eligible for CAR-T cell therapy may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing biomaterial scaffolds that can enhance the production of CAR-T cells directly within the body, rather than relying on lengthy and costly laboratory procedures. By using these innovative materials, the goal is to streamline the manufacturing process, reduce costs, and improve the effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapy for patients with blood cancers. The approach aims to generate CAR-T cells in situ, which could lead to faster treatment times and better patient outcomes. Patients may benefit from a more efficient and accessible form of CAR-T therapy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly lower the costs and improve the accessibility of CAR-T cell therapy for patients with blood cancers.

How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in CAR-T cell therapy, the specific approach of using biomaterial scaffolds for in situ production is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

  • Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
    Chapel Hill, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Brudno, Yevgeny — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
  • Study coordinator: Brudno, Yevgeny

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About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.