Developing engineered immune cells to monitor and treat Type-I Diabetes
Engineering 2nd generation 5MCARs to monitor and treat Type-I Diabetes
This study is working on a new type of treatment for people with Type-I Diabetes by creating special immune cells that can better find and destroy the harmful cells causing the disease, with hopes of improving or even reversing the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11058374 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating advanced immune cell therapies to monitor and treat Type-I Diabetes (T1D), an autoimmune disease. By engineering a specialized receptor complex known as a 5-module chimeric antigen receptor (5MCAR), the research aims to enhance the ability of T cells to specifically target and eliminate the autoimmune cells responsible for T1D. The approach involves using biomimetic techniques to improve the effectiveness of these engineered T cells in preclinical models, with the goal of translating these findings into potential treatments for patients. If successful, this innovative therapy could provide a new way to manage or even reverse the effects of T1D.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Type-I Diabetes who may benefit from innovative immune therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with Type-II Diabetes or other non-autoimmune forms of diabetes may not receive benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that effectively manage or potentially cure Type-I Diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: While this area of immune cell engineering is still emerging, preliminary studies have shown promise in using similar approaches to treat autoimmune diseases.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuhns, Michael S — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Kuhns, Michael S
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.