Engineered CAR-T Therapy to Target Liver Cancer
Official title: Overcoming Immune Evasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Engineered T-Cell Therapy
Funded at March Biosciences INC · NIH-11410236 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new CAR-T cell treatment is being developed for hepatocellular carcinoma to better recognize tumors and resist the immune-suppressing environment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | March Biosciences INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $399,003 |
| NIH project number | 1R44CA314963-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11410236 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, especially those with tumors expressing GPC3 or with heterogeneous expression may be eligible in future trials or related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to clinical trials or whose tumors do not express the target may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a next-generation CAR-T cell therapy for liver cancer that can recognize tumors with uneven or low levels of the target. It combines a synapse-stabilizing receptor to improve tumor recognition with a T-switch receptor that flips suppressive signals into pro-survival cues for the T cells. The research includes selecting a humanized GPC3 binder and advancing preclinical testing before moving toward clinical studies. The effort builds on previous GPC3 CAR-T work and seeks to overcome barriers that limit efficacy in solid tumors. The initiative is structured in two phases under an SBIR Fast-Track mechanism to translate promising science into a potential treatment option.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with hepatocellular carcinoma could have a more effective and durable CAR-T therapy option.
How similar studies have gone: Early GPC3 CAR-T trials showed some benefit but highlighted the need for better tumor recognition and persistence in the liver cancer environment.
Where this research is happening
-
March Biosciences INC
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Eric Andrew — March Biosciences INC
- Study coordinator: Smith, Eric Andrew
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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.