Improving CAR T cell therapy for glioblastoma treatment

Optimizing CAR T therapy via metabolic engineering for thetreatment of GBM

NIH-funded research Mayo Clinic Jacksonville · NIH-11239302

This study is looking at ways to make CAR T cell therapy work better for people with glioblastoma by helping the CAR T cells get more nutrients they need to fight the tumor, and it will test these improved cells in mice to see if they can last longer and work more effectively against the cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMayo Clinic Jacksonville NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Jacksonville, United States)
Project IDNIH-11239302 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to enhance the effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy for glioblastoma (GBM) by addressing the competition for nutrients within the tumor microenvironment. The researchers hypothesize that by improving the metabolic fitness of CAR T cells, they can better compete with tumor cells for essential nutrients like glucose. The study will involve genetically modifying CAR T cells to increase their glucose uptake and testing these modified cells in mouse models of glioma. This innovative approach seeks to improve the persistence and function of CAR T cells in the challenging environment of GBM tumors.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with glioblastoma who are considering immunotherapy options.

Not a fit: Patients with other types of cancer or those who do not have glioblastoma may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective CAR T cell therapies for patients with glioblastoma, potentially improving survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: While CAR T cell therapy has shown promise in other cancers, this specific approach targeting metabolic engineering in glioblastoma is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Jacksonville, 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 2026-06-13 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.