Enhancing the effectiveness of CAR T cells for treating sarcoma by targeting immune checkpoints
Official title: Modulating the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint to promote antitumor activity of HER2 CAR T cells in patients with sarcoma
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11046642 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to make CAR T cell therapy work better for people with sarcoma by pairing it with treatments that help boost the immune system, so if you're a patient with sarcoma, this could be a chance to improve your treatment outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | March 7, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $647,322 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276684-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046642 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with sarcoma who are eligible for CAR T cell therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with sarcoma who have already received extensive prior treatments or those with contraindications to CAR T cell therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new approach to improve the effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy for patients with sarcoma by combining it with strategies that disrupt the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint. The study aims to enhance the immune response against tumors by promoting the infiltration of immune cells into the tumor microenvironment and reducing the dysfunction of CAR T cells. Patients will receive HER2-targeted CAR T cells along with treatments that inhibit immune suppression, potentially leading to better outcomes. The research will involve clinical testing to assess the safety and efficacy of this combined therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for sarcoma, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar immunotherapy approaches, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hegde, Meenakshi G — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Hegde, Meenakshi G
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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.