Improving CAR-T cell therapy for children with relapsed B-cell leukemia
Official title: Inhibiting Free Fatty Acid Transport to Improve CAR-T Cell Therapy of Relapsed B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11016165 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how blocking certain fatty acids might make CAR-T cell therapy work better for kids and young adults with relapsed B-cell leukemia, especially those with specific gene changes, to help them get better when other treatments haven't worked.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | January 20, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $481,818 |
| NIH project number | 1R37CA295527-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11016165 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children and young adults diagnosed with relapsed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, particularly those with chemotherapy-resistant cases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia or those who are not relapsed or refractory to existing therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how inhibiting the transport of free fatty acids can enhance the effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapy in treating relapsed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in children and young adults. The study focuses on understanding the mechanisms of resistance to CAR-T therapy, particularly in cases with TP53 mutations. By using advanced techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 screening, researchers aim to identify specific fatty acid transporters that, when inhibited, could improve patient outcomes. The goal is to provide a more effective treatment option for patients who have not responded to traditional therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved survival rates and treatment responses for children and young adults with relapsed B-ALL.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in enhancing CAR-T cell therapy through metabolic interventions, suggesting that this approach may yield significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Witkowski, Matthew — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Witkowski, Matthew
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving CAR T-cell therapy for pediatric B-ALL
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Blocking fatty acid uptake to help CAR-T work better for relapsed B‑cell ALL
This research looks at whether stopping leukemia cells from taking up fatty acids can help CD19 CAR‑T therapy work better for children and young adults with relapsed B‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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Improving CAR T-cell therapy for children with leukemia
This study is looking at a new kind of CAR T-cell therapy for kids with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) to see if using special donor cells can make the treatment safer and more effective, while also helping the cells stay in the body longer to keep the cancer from coming back.
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Genomics of childhood ALL across global populations
A wide-ranging study looks at how inherited genetics influence the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia around the world.
-
Genomics of childhood ALL across diverse populations
A large international study will look at why children everywhere get acute lymphoblastic leukemia and how genetics may influence risk.
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.