Improving CAR T cell therapy by removing the CD5 brake
MODULATION OF CD5 SIGNALING TO ENHANCE ADOPTIVE T-CELL THERAPIES FOR CANCER
Researchers are looking at whether removing a brake protein called CD5 can help engineered CAR T cells kill cancer cells more effectively for people with B‑cell cancers and some solid tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308726 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work edits patient-derived T cells to remove a protein called CD5 and then equips those cells with cancer-targeting CARs to boost their ability to attack tumors. The team uses gene editing (CRISPR-Cas9) and lab tests of T cell signaling and cancer killing, plus animal models, to see if CD5 deletion increases early T cell activation and tumor clearance. Preliminary experiments already show improved signaling and anti-tumor activity in engineered T cells without CD5. If results remain positive, the approach would be moved toward clinical testing in patients receiving CAR T therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with relapsed or refractory CD19+ B‑cell malignancies (leukemia or lymphoma) who are eligible for CAR T‑cell approaches or might join future CAR T clinical trials.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that are not treatable by T‑cell therapies, those who cannot undergo cellular therapy, or people with medical conditions preventing CAR T treatment are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make CAR T-cell treatments stronger and help more patients get longer-lasting remissions from B-cell cancers and possibly some solid tumors.
How similar studies have performed: CAR T therapies for CD19+ B‑cell cancers have produced dramatic remissions in many patients, but specifically deleting CD5 to boost early TCR/CAR signaling is a newer, largely preclinical strategy with promising early data.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ruella, Marco — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Ruella, Marco
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.