Engineered immune cells to fight Candida infections
Bio-engineered Cell Therapy to Treat Candidiasis
This project is creating engineered immune cells to help people with weakened immune systems fight dangerous Candida infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176850 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I have a weakened immune system, this work aims to develop engineered T cells and macrophages that can recognize and kill Candida without harming normal gut microbes. Researchers will build chimeric receptors by combining parts that detect fungal patterns with activation parts that trigger immune killing. They will test these engineered cells in the lab and in preclinical models to measure how well they find and remove Candida. The goal is long-lasting protection for patients at high risk of systemic Candida infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with weakened immune systems, such as patients with hematologic cancers, transplant recipients, or others at high risk for systemic Candida infections.
Not a fit: People with mild, routine oral or skin Candida infections or those with healthy immune systems are unlikely to need or benefit from this therapy, and some patients with severe comorbidities may not be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer long-term protection against invasive Candida infections while preserving the normal gut microbiome.
How similar studies have performed: CAR-T therapies have transformed certain blood cancers and preclinical CAR approaches reduced Aspergillus in models, but CAR-based treatments specifically targeting Candida are novel and largely untested in patients.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumar, Pappanaicken Rangasamy — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Kumar, Pappanaicken Rangasamy
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.