Engineered T cells that light up imaging targets in glioblastoma
Official title: Engineered T cell-based imaging for glioblastoma and CAR-T cell tracking
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11415015 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to create specially designed T cells that reveal glioblastoma markers using PET imaging, helping doctors see tumors and track CAR-T cells in living patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $659,959 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA271602-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415015 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with glioblastoma or candidates for future CAR-T cell therapies who could benefit from improved tumor imaging and treatment monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without glioblastoma or without planned CAR-T therapies may not directly benefit from this imaging strategy.
What this research studies
This project develops engineered T cells, called SNIPR-T cells, that sense specific tumor markers and trigger a detectable imaging signal. The approach uses antibody-like receptors and a built-in reporter system to amplify signals, enabling clearer visualization of tumors and immune cell activity. The work is planned through preclinical studies to establish imaging methods that could later translate to patient care, including tracking CAR-T cell behavior in brain tumors. The research emphasizes safety, targeting accuracy, and imaging sensitivity to pave the way for future clinical applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could enable noninvasive, real-time visualization of glioblastoma and CAR-T cell dynamics, guiding treatment decisions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows promise in targeted imaging using engineered immune cells, but SNIPR-PET is a novel approach with early preclinical development.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roybal, Kole T — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Roybal, Kole T
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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.