Improving CAR T cell therapy for brain tumors using a mouse model
Official title: Brain Tumor CAR T Mouse Model
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11012811 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to make CAR T cell therapy better for people with aggressive brain tumors by using specially designed mice to see how these modified immune cells can more effectively find and attack cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $98,450 |
| NIH project number | 5R03NS135446-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11012811 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with high-grade gliomas, particularly children and adults who have limited treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with brain tumors that are not high-grade gliomas or those who are not eligible for CAR T cell therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new mouse model to enhance chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy specifically for malignant brain tumors. By genetically modifying T cells to better recognize and attack cancer cells, the study aims to overcome the challenges faced by CAR T therapy in treating brain tumors. The innovative mouse model will allow researchers to observe tumor growth and the behavior of CAR T cells in a realistic environment, using advanced imaging techniques to gain insights into how these therapies can be improved for patients. The ultimate goal is to optimize treatment strategies for high-grade gliomas, which are particularly aggressive brain tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective CAR T cell therapies for patients with malignant brain tumors, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While CAR T cell therapy has shown success in treating other cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, its application to brain tumors is still being explored, making this approach novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gust, Juliane — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Gust, Juliane
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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.