Engineered CD4+ T cells targeting KK‑LC‑1 for triple‑negative breast cancer
Official title: Development of CD4 TCR-engineered T cell immunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer
Funded at Immunova Therapeutics, LLC · NIH-11195666 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project creates engineered CD4+ T cells that recognize the KK‑LC‑1 tumor antigen to help people with HLA‑DR13-positive triple‑negative breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Immunova Therapeutics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Monrovia, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $998,971 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA295183-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11195666 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with advanced or metastatic triple‑negative breast cancer whose tumors express KK‑LC‑1 and who are HLA‑DR13-positive.
✕Less likely to help
People whose tumors lack KK‑LC‑1 or who do not have HLA‑DR13 are unlikely to benefit from this therapy.
What this research studies
This project would engineer a patient's CD4+ T cells with a TCR that recognizes the KK‑LC‑1 protein found on some triple‑negative breast cancers. The team is developing an HLA‑DR13‑restricted TCR so the therapy can specifically target tumors in people with that HLA type. They will test the engineered cells in laboratory and preclinical models to check tumor targeting, biodistribution, and safety. The work is intended to produce a therapy ready for future clinical testing for patients with limited treatment options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a new targeted immunotherapy option for people with HLA‑DR13-positive triple‑negative breast cancer who have few other treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Cell therapies like CAR‑T have been highly effective in blood cancers, but TCR‑engineered T cells for solid tumors such as TNBC remain experimental and early in development.
Where this research is happening
-
Immunova Therapeutics, LLC
Monrovia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Yicheng — Immunova Therapeutics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Wang, Yicheng
Related research
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This project looks at whether patterns of tumor cell death and immune signals can predict and improve responses to radiation combined with anti-PD1 immunotherapy for people with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes.
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New combination immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer
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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.