Improving CAR T cell therapy for children with solid tumors

Enhancing B7-H3-CAR T cell therapy for pediatric solid tumors

NIH-funded research St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11035233

This study is testing a new way to make CAR T cell therapy work better for kids with solid tumors by using special T cells that target a protein called B7-H3, and it aims to see how safe and effective these modified cells are in helping children whose tumors haven't responded to other treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Memphis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11035233 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to enhance the effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy specifically for pediatric patients suffering from solid tumors. By targeting a protein called B7-H3, which is found in high levels on certain tumors but not on most normal tissues, the study will evaluate the safety and tumor-fighting ability of modified T cells in a clinical trial. The approach includes a Phase I trial to assess how well these engineered T cells can combat relapsed or refractory tumors in children. Additionally, the research will explore the biology of these T cells to further improve their effectiveness.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors that express the B7-H3 antigen.

Not a fit: Patients with solid tumors that do not express the B7-H3 antigen may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective treatment option for children with difficult-to-treat solid tumors.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results with CAR T cell therapies targeting other antigens, indicating potential for success with this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Memphis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.