HORMAD1-targeting T cell therapy for stomach and esophageal cancer
HORMAD-specific TGF-beta resistant memory T cells for treatment of patients with Gastro-esophageal Cancer
Engineered memory T cells that resist a tumor signal called TGF‑beta are being given to people with advanced stomach or esophageal cancer to help the immune system attack the tumor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249696 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Doctors will take a patient’s blood and grow out memory T cells that specifically recognize a cancer protein called HORMAD1. The cells will be genetically modified so they are less affected by the tumor’s TGF‑beta immune suppression and treated with epigenetic drugs to make them longer‑lived and more active. After expanding these modified T cells in the lab, they will be returned to the patient by infusion so the cells can seek and kill HORMAD1‑expressing cancer cells. The approach builds on a technique called Endogenous T Cell (ETC) therapy and uses an established retroviral method for the genetic change.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with advanced or metastatic stomach or esophageal cancer whose tumors express the HORMAD1 protein and who are eligible for adoptive T cell therapy.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not express HORMAD1 or who are medically unable to undergo cell collection, genetic modification, or infusion are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce longer‑lasting anti‑tumor immune responses and better control of advanced gastroesophageal cancers that express HORMAD1.
How similar studies have performed: While engineered T cell therapies have cured some blood cancers, applying patient‑derived memory T cells with TGF‑beta resistance to solid tumors like gastric and esophageal cancer is relatively new and has limited clinical precedent.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yee, Cassian — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Yee, Cassian
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.