Developing new scaffolds to improve CAR-T cell therapy for brain tumors
Official title: Bioinstructive Scaffolds for Potent and Affordable CAR-T Cell Therapy Against Brain Tumors
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11159094 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to make CAR-T cell therapy work better for people with glioblastoma, a tough brain tumor, by using special scaffolds to help deliver the treatment right to the tumor, so patients can get more effective care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 27, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $634,205 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA278961-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11159094 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme who are seeking innovative treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain 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 enhancing CAR-T cell therapy for glioblastoma multiforme, a challenging brain tumor with poor survival rates. The approach involves using bioinstructive scaffolds to improve the delivery and effectiveness of CAR-T cells directly to the tumor site. By administering CAR-T cells locally and repeatedly, the goal is to overcome barriers that limit their efficacy, such as the blood-brain barrier and immunosuppression. Patients may receive CAR-T cells infused into the tumor cavity and ventricular system to maximize treatment impact.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and accessible CAR-T cell therapies for patients with glioblastoma, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with CAR-T cell therapies in other cancers, indicating potential for success in this novel application for glioblastoma.
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
- 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.