Engineered CAR T cell therapy for hard-to-treat solid tumors
Project 3
['FUNDING_P01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · NIH-11162516
They are creating gene-edited immune cells to better find, enter, and destroy aggressive solid tumors, including some brain cancers.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_P01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11162516 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
They take a patient’s own immune T cells and change their genes so the cells can better reach, survive in, and attack tumors. The team uses modern gene-editing methods (like CRISPR) and viral DNA donors to add helpful functions and safety features. These engineered cells are developed and tested in the lab and preclinical models to improve tumor infiltration and resistance to immune-suppressing signals. The goal is to move the safest, most effective versions toward treatments people could receive for cancers that now respond poorly to therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with advanced or treatment-resistant solid tumors (for example certain brain tumors) whose cancers express the therapy’s target and who meet medical criteria for cell therapy.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not express the specific target, who have health conditions preventing cell therapy (such as uncontrolled infections), or who have early-stage disease not needing aggressive intervention are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to CAR T treatments that control or even cure some solid tumors that currently have few effective options.
How similar studies have performed: CAR T therapies have achieved durable cures for some blood cancers, but applying them successfully to solid tumors is still largely experimental and has not yet produced consistent cures in patients.
Where this research is happening
MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA — MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MORIARITY, BRANDEN S — UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- Study coordinator: MORIARITY, BRANDEN S
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 below.