Gene‑edited NK cell therapy for advanced ovarian cancer
Project 4 Treatment of Advanced Ovarian Cancer Using Gene-Edited NK CAR Cells
This approach gives gene‑edited natural killer (NK) immune cells from healthy donors to people with advanced ovarian cancer to try to shrink tumors and control disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178546 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team takes NK cells from healthy donors and uses CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to remove a protein (CISH) that limits NK cell activity and to add a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that helps the cells find ovarian cancer. These modified NK cells are designed to be hyperfunctional but cause fewer severe side effects like graft‑versus‑host disease or large cytokine storms compared with CAR T cells. Work includes laboratory and translational steps to produce and test the edited cells for safety and anti‑tumor activity, with the goal of moving into patient treatment. The project focuses on recurrent or advanced epithelial ovarian cancer that is hard to treat with existing options.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with recurrent or advanced epithelial ovarian cancer who have limited options after standard treatments and meet trial eligibility would be the intended candidates.
Not a fit: People with early-stage disease, non-epithelial ovarian cancers, or those medically unable to undergo cell therapy procedures may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a new immune cell therapy that more safely and effectively targets recurrent advanced ovarian cancer.
How similar studies have performed: CAR T and early CAR NK approaches have worked well for some blood cancers but CAR strategies for ovarian cancer are still experimental and have shown only limited success so far.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moriarity, Branden S — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Moriarity, Branden S
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 below.