CTO1681: reducing dangerous immune reactions in patients getting CAR T-cell therapy
Official title: CTO1681 to prevent and mitigate cytokine release syndrome in multiple myeloma patients receiving CAR T-cell therapy
Funded at Cytoagents, INC. · NIH-11418976 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new oral drug (CTO1681) aims to prevent and lessen cytokine release syndrome in patients with blood cancers treated with CAR T-cell therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cytoagents, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $936,370 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA295189-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418976 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies who are candidates for CAR T-cell therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience CRS or who do not respond to the study drug may not receive benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a drug called CTO1681, derived from beraprost sodium, to reduce the severe inflammatory reactions sometimes seen after CAR T-cell therapy for blood cancers. The team will look at how CTO1681 affects cytokine production and inflammatory pathways in patients who undergo CAR T treatment. If successful, the approach could make CAR T-cell therapy safer and more tolerable, potentially expanding access to this powerful treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, CTO1681 could lower the risk and severity of cytokine release syndrome, improving safety and quality of life for patients receiving CAR T-cell therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Early studies in related cytokine-modulating approaches have shown potential to reduce CRS in CAR T-cell therapy, but this may be a novel mechanism.
Where this research is happening
-
Cytoagents, INC.
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Howell, Michael D. — Cytoagents, INC.
- Study coordinator: Howell, Michael D.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving durability of responses after CAR T therapy for myeloma
This grant explores new CAR T cell approaches to keep multiple myeloma patients in remission longer after initial treatment success.
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In Vivo Engineering of BCMA CAR T Cells for Multiple Myeloma
A new NIH grant aims to develop lipid nanoparticle systems that deliver BCMA CAR instructions directly to patients’ immune cells to treat multiple myeloma.
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BCMA CAR-T therapy with opaganib for ultrahigh risk multiple myeloma
A first-in-human-style treatment using a patient’s own CAR-T cells plus a targeted drug to help people with very high-risk multiple myeloma live longer and better.
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Make CAR T therapy last longer for multiple myeloma
This project tries CAR T cells made from bone marrow immune cells to help people with multiple myeloma stay in remission longer.
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Integrative study of multiple myeloma genetics and disease biology
A team at Dana-Farber and partners is pursuing a long-term project to understand the genetic and molecular drivers of multiple myeloma and how treatments interact with disease biology.
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Comparative Modeling to Prevent, Detect Early, and Treat Multiple Myeloma
A research team will build and compare computer models to understand how multiple myeloma develops, can be detected earlier, and treated more effectively.
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.