Dual-targeted DOTA CAR T cells with image-guided monitoring 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-11457469 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,853,561 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3CA290451-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11457469 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with solid tumors expressing folate receptor 1/folate-binding protein targets or related antigens who are candidates for CAR T cell therapy may be eligible.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without target antigen expression or those unable to undergo cellular therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create an imaging-enabled, adaptable CAR T cell platform called ImAC that uses a universal CAR framework and DOTA-tagged biologics. Patients’ T cells will be engineered to recognize tumor targets and be controllable through noninvasive imaging and adminstration of tagged agents. The approach combines advanced T cell engineering with molecular imaging to monitor localization and tune activity, potentially reducing toxicity while enhancing anti-tumor responses. The work leverages multidisciplinary expertise in gene editing, imaging, and chemistry toward a clinical development path at the University of Pennsylvania.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive safer, more precisely controlled CAR T cell therapy with real-time tumor targeting and monitoring.
How similar studies have gone: Prior UniCAR concepts demonstrated controllable CAR T activity in preclinical or early-stage settings; this project advances to clinical development with imaging readouts.
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
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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.