Immunotherapy for B-cell lymphoma using NK T cells
Official title: Project 1: Immunotherapy of B cell lymphoma with NKT cells
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11418400 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-focused immunotherapy approach using natural killer T cells engineered to target B-cell lymphoma, potentially offering off-the-shelf treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2007 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $475,776 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA126752-20 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418400 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma who may be eligible for CAR T–based immunotherapies or related NK cell–based approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without CD1d-restricted NKTs or those not eligible for CAR-based therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop a safe, effective therapy for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma by using CD1d-restricted invariant NKTs, which can attack lymphoma cells and help other immune cells work together. It builds on CAR T technology but leverages NKTs to reduce graft-versus-host risk and enable off-the-shelf use. The team is testing allo-CAR.CD19 NKTs in humans, making progress with early patients showing responses and manageable safety, while refining CAR constructs to improve persistence and durability. The research combines cell engineering, early-phase clinical testing, and strategies to protect the therapy from immune rejection to enhance long-term outcomes for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive a ready-to-use immunotherapy that targets B-cell lymphoma with potentially better durability and fewer complications.
How similar studies have gone: Early-phase trials with allo-CAR.CD19 NKTs showed tolerability and objective responses in a subset of treated patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Metelitsa, Leonid S — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Metelitsa, Leonid S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how immune features predict immunotherapy response in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
A study to find genomic and immune markers in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that could help predict who benefits from immunotherapies.
-
NKT cell therapy for B‑cell lymphoma
This project offers an off‑the‑shelf immune cell treatment using engineered natural killer T (NKT) cells for adults with B‑cell non‑Hodgkin lymphoma.
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Understanding how genes affect immune responses in lymphoma treatment
This study is looking at how the immune system interacts with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) to find out which genetic traits might help predict how well patients will respond to immunotherapy, so that treatments can be better tailored for those whose cancer has come back or hasn’t responded to other treatments.
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Targeting the IL-1R Pathway to Boost Immunotherapy for Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma
Aims to make CD30 CAR therapies work better for people with ALCL by blocking a immune-evasion pathway.
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Targeting MALT1 to Strengthen Anti-Lymphoma Immunity and Boost Immunotherapy
Aims to improve treatment for a common type of B-cell lymphoma by blocking a specific protein (MALT1) to enhance the body's immune attack and response to existing therapies.
-
Immune Evasion by HLA-E in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
A researcher is studying how a molecule called HLA-E helps a type of blood cancer (DLBCL) hide from the immune system, with findings that may lead to better treatments.
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.