IL‑18 and interferon‑gamma blood markers to predict CAR T outcomes in children
The IL-18-IFNγ axis predicts response to immunotherapy
Researchers are using blood signals called IL‑18 and interferon‑gamma to help predict which children with leukemia will benefit from CAR T‑cell therapy and who might have severe side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285461 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child is getting CAR T therapy, researchers would use a blood sample taken before treatment to study monocyte activity and cytokines, focusing on the IL‑18–IFNγ signals. They will measure cytokines, run flow cytometry and gene‑expression tests on the monocyte fraction, and combine those measurements with machine‑learning models. The goal is to find a set of validated monocytic biomarkers that indicate risk of severe toxicities like cytokine‑release syndrome and neurotoxicity or likelihood of treatment failure. Those markers could help doctors tailor monitoring, preventive care, or treatment choices before therapy starts.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children with leukemia who are being considered for or enrolled in CAR T‑cell therapy — particularly pediatric patients treated at or referred to Seattle Children's Hospital — would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients not receiving CAR T therapy or those with conditions unrelated to pediatric leukemia are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If validated, these biomarkers could help predict severe side effects or nonresponse to CAR T therapy, allowing more personalized and safer treatment planning for children.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary pilot data from the same center showed promising links between the IL‑18–IFNγ axis and CAR T toxicities, but larger-scale validation and translation into clinical tests remain novel.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Seattle Children's Hospital — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gustafson, Heather Leigh Herd — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Gustafson, Heather Leigh Herd
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.