Improving CAR T cell therapy for pancreatic cancer
Official title: Engineering self-propelled tumor-infiltrating CAR T cells using synthetic velocity receptors
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11106811 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to make CAR T cell therapy better for people with pancreatic cancer by creating special receptors that help these cells move faster and work more effectively against tumors, and they’ll first test these improvements in the lab and then in mice before moving to human trials.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | February 24, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $627,272 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA300052-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11106811 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, particularly those with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who are not diagnosed with pancreatic cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the effectiveness of CAR T cells in treating pancreatic tumors by engineering synthetic receptors that increase the speed and ability of these cells to infiltrate tumors. The team will evaluate the movement and tumor-killing capabilities of these modified CAR T cells in laboratory settings before testing the most promising candidates in mouse models of pancreatic cancer. This approach addresses the challenges posed by the tumor environment that typically limits the success of CAR T therapies in solid tumors like pancreatic cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for pancreatic cancer, potentially improving survival rates for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While CAR T cell therapies have shown success in treating blood cancers, their application to solid tumors like pancreatic cancer is still largely untested, making this approach novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wirtz, Denis — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Wirtz, Denis
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.