Developing safer CAR NK cell therapies for leukemia and lymphoma
Official title: Harnessing naturally occurring cell type-specific regulatory elements and normal HSC hematopoiesis to develop cell lineage-controlled CAR expression and continuously renewing CAR NK cells
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-10942327 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to make CAR T cell therapies safer and more effective for people with tough blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma by using special stem cells that only activate the treatment when they turn into natural killer cells, helping to reduce side effects and improve long-lasting results.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $513,859 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA293092-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10942327 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with solid tumors or those who do not have hematologic malignancies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving CAR T cell therapies for patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma. The approach involves genetically modifying hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to express CAR specifically when they differentiate into natural killer (NK) cells, which minimizes the risk of severe side effects like cytokine release syndrome. By creating a system where CAR expression is controlled and occurs only in NK cells, the goal is to enhance the persistence and effectiveness of these therapies over the long term. This innovative method aims to provide a safer and more durable treatment option for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer CAR NK cell therapies, reducing relapse rates in patients with hematologic malignancies.
How similar studies have gone: While CAR T cell therapies have shown promise, this specific approach of using HSCs to create CAR NK cells is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior research.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Eric L — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Smith, Eric L
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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.