Engineering a new type of immune therapy using three different cell types
Official title: Combinatorial engineering of a three-cell synthetic immunotherapy system
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11120022 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases by making special immune cells work together better, so if you're looking for innovative treatments, this research might be for you!
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $207,900 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB037367-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11120022 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with cancers or autoimmune diseases who may benefit from advanced immunotherapy options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cancer or autoimmune diseases may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to cancer and autoimmune disease treatment by engineering T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and macrophages to work together as a synthetic immune system. Unlike current therapies that use these immune cells in isolation, this project aims to combine them to enhance their effectiveness against diseases. The researchers will create and test various combinations of these engineered cells to identify the most effective configurations for targeting cancer and other conditions. By modulating the signaling pathways of these cells, they hope to improve their ability to coordinate immune responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases by harnessing the power of a coordinated immune response.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using engineered immune cells for therapy, but this approach of combining multiple cell types is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Daniels, Kyle Gabriel — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Daniels, Kyle Gabriel
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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.