Engineered T cells that precisely target mesothelioma tumors
Official title: Combination antigen sensing engineered T cell for precise recognition and enhanced elimination of solid tumors
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11308329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The team is building engineered T cells that recognize two tumor signals to better find and kill mesothelioma tumors while sparing healthy tissue.
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 | April 4, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $666,354 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA280440-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11308329 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adult patients with mesothelioma whose tumors express mesothelin and ALPPL2 and who are eligible for experimental cell therapies would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People whose tumors do not express the targeted antigens or who cannot tolerate cellular therapy would likely not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
If I have mesothelioma, researchers are designing T cells that use a "prime-and-kill" two-signal circuit so the cells only fully activate at the tumor site. They are combining a novel tumor antigen (ALPPL2) with the known mesothelioma marker mesothelin to improve targeting and reduce damage to normal tissues. The cells use fully human receptor components (SNIPR → CAR) and will be optimized in the lab and in preclinical models to reduce exhaustion, control activity in time and space, and enable local delivery of immune-boosting payloads. The circuit design is modular so it could eventually be adapted to other antigen combinations or payloads.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a safer, more effective cell therapy option for people with mesothelioma.
How similar studies have gone: CAR T cell therapies have been highly effective in blood cancers but have faced challenges in solid tumors; this dual-antigen SNIPR → CAR circuit is a newer strategy with promising laboratory and animal data but not yet proven in humans.
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.