Improving CAR T cell therapy using nanoparticles to program virus-specific T cells
Official title: Democratizing CAR T cell therapy by in situ programming of virus-specific T cells
Funded at Georgia Institute of Technology · NIH-10925302 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to make cancer treatments using your own immune cells more effective and easier to get by using tiny particles that can help program your T cells right in your body, especially for people with multiple myeloma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $110,905 |
| NIH project number | 5K99CA276890-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10925302 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with hematological malignancies, particularly those who have been vaccinated against influenza.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have hematological cancers 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 enhancing CAR T cell therapy by developing nanoparticles that can program virus-specific T cells directly in the body. The approach aims to simplify and reduce the cost of CAR T cell manufacturing, which currently takes weeks and costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. By utilizing existing influenza vaccinations, the study seeks to boost the effectiveness of CAR T cells against cancers like multiple myeloma. Patients' own T cells will be targeted for modification using these innovative nanoparticles, potentially leading to faster and more accessible treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could make CAR T cell therapy more affordable and widely available for patients with certain types of cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While CAR T cell therapy has been successful in various forms, this specific approach using in situ programming with nanoparticles is novel and has not been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Su, Fang-Yi — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Su, Fang-Yi
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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.