Dual-target CAR T therapy with PET tracking for solid tumors
Official title: Dual-targeted DOTA CAR T cells with image-guided monitoring for solid tumor treatment
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11189714 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A controllable CAR T-cell treatment that doctors can track with PET scans and direct at solid tumors in adults whose cancers express folate receptors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,453,091 |
| NIH project number | 5UG3CA290451-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11189714 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with solid tumors that express folate receptor–related antigens who are eligible for autologous T-cell collection and infusion, often after other treatments have failed.
✕Less likely to help
People whose tumors do not express the targeted folate receptors, those with primarily blood cancers, or patients unable to undergo cell collection or infusion are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
You would have your own T cells collected and genetically modified with a universal CAR (UniCAR) that can be directed by short, tagged targeting agents. The team will give two different DOTA-tagged targeting agents so the same engineered T cells can be aimed at two tumor targets and also seen with PET imaging. Clinicians can use the tagged agents to turn CAR T activity up or down while watching where the cells go in real time. The approach is designed to improve safety, limit off-target effects, and overcome the suppressive tumor environment that often blocks CAR T effectiveness in solid tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This could make CAR T therapy for solid tumors safer and more controllable while letting doctors see where the cells go during treatment.
How similar studies have gone: CAR T has shown strong, lasting success in some blood cancers, but applying controllable, image-guided CAR T to solid tumors is largely new and mostly at preclinical or early clinical stages.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Powell, Daniel J. — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Powell, Daniel J.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Dual-targeted DOTA CAR T cells with image-guided monitoring for solid tumors
A Penn team is developing a controllable CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors that can be tracked with PET imaging and guided by targeted agents to improve safety and effectiveness.
-
Improving patient access to gynecologic cancer trials at UVA
This grant helps UVA boost enrollment in gynecologic and solid tumor trials so more women with gynecologic cancers can access cutting-edge therapies.
-
Tuning CAR T cells to work better in solid tumors
A cancer-immunotherapy approach uses specially trained CAR T cells designed to attack solid tumors more effectively and safely.
-
A 3D lab tool to see how solid tumors squeeze and spread
This project builds a tiny 3D device that measures how solid tumors push, deform, and let cancer cells break away, which could help people with cancers that form solid tumors.
-
Atlas of the tumor environment in childhood cancers
This project will map the cells and signals surrounding childhood solid tumors like neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and Wilms tumor to find weaknesses that could help children with high-risk disease.
-
KITv-enhanced CAR T cells for mesothelin-positive solid tumors
This work develops engineered CAR T cells that use a KITv switch to help treat people with mesothelin-expressing solid tumors, including pleural cancers.
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.