Engineering T cells to improve treatment for ovarian cancer
Official title: Engineering T cells to overcome inhibitory receptor signals that limit the efficacy of adoptive cell therapy against ovarian cancer
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11076712 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to make T cell therapies better for people with ovarian cancer by tweaking the T cells so they can find and fight cancer cells more effectively while being gentle on healthy cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | June 5, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $186,710 |
| NIH project number | 5K22CA266737-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076712 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with ovarian cancer who may benefit from innovative immunotherapy approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with ovarian cancer who do not express the targeted proteins or have advanced disease stages may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of T cell therapies for ovarian cancer by engineering T cells to target specific proteins found in tumors. The approach involves modifying T cells to express high-affinity receptors that can recognize and attack ovarian cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. The study also investigates how the tumor microenvironment affects the persistence and function of these engineered T cells, aiming to overcome inhibitory signals that limit their effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and targeted treatments for ovarian cancer, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using engineered T cells for cancer treatment, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anderson, Kristin Gail — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Anderson, Kristin Gail
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding the experience of ovarian cancer after diagnosis to improve survivorship
This NIH grant funds a mixed-methods study to better understand physical and emotional challenges faced by ovarian cancer survivors and how supportive care can help them live better after diagnosis.
-
Targeting quiescent ovarian cancer cells to overcome chemotherapy resistance
A study focusing on why some ovarian cancer cells pause dividing and resist chemotherapy, with the goal of finding new treatment targets for relapsed disease.
-
Photodynamic lipids to boost chemotherapy for metastatic ovarian cancer
A patient-friendly approach tests a light-activated method to make ovarian cancer metastases more sensitive to chemotherapy.
-
Integrated framework to validate and quantify proteoforms in patient-derived ovarian cancer cells
A collaboration will combine advanced top-down proteomics with a new computational method to precisely identify and measure intact proteoforms in tiny samples from ovarian cancer cells.
-
Overcoming platinum resistance in ovarian cancer: finding biomarkers and new targets
Researchers are looking for new biomarkers and targets to help prevent or overcome platinum resistance in high‑risk ovarian cancer so patients have better chances at long-term control.
-
Alternative NF-kB activation after chemotherapy in ovarian cancer
This grant studies how ovarian cancer might come back after chemotherapy by looking at specific signaling pathways in cancer cells and the tumor environment.
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.