Disrupting BM niches and boostingCAR-T therapy in blood cancers
Official title: BM NICHE DISRUPTION AND IMMUNOTHERAPY IN HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11446216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A program at Washington University is developing better ways to collect stem cells for transplantation, reduce graft-versus-host disease, and improve CAR-T cell therapies for blood cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2016 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $222,365 |
| NIH project number | 2R50CA211466-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with hematologic malignancies who may need stem cell transplantation or CAR-T therapy, including AML and B-cell/other blood cancers, could participate or benefit from related correlative studies or trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for stem cell transplantation or CAR-T therapy, or those not contributing samples or data to correlative studies, may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project works on three connected goals: making stem cell collection more efficient for transplant patients, reducing immune-related complications after transplant, and creating more effective CAR-T cell treatments for AML and other blood cancers. The team uses preclinical models and early clinical trial data to test new approaches, including combining a VLA-4 inhibitor with motixafortide to mobilize stem cells and exploring new CAR-T designs for T cell malignancies, multiple myeloma, and AML. They also study whether targeted cytokine therapy can boost CAR-T activity without increasing harmful cytokine release. Overall, the work aims to translate lab findings into safer, more powerful therapies for patients facing blood cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have better stem cell collection for transplants, fewer transplant-related complications, and more effective CAR-T therapies with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research supports that improved stem cell mobilization and enhanced CAR-T function can lead to better outcomes, though specific combinations in this program are being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rettig, Michael — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Rettig, Michael
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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.