Improving CAR T Cell Treatments for Cancer
Official title: Label-free imaging of CAR T cell metabolism
Funded at Morgridge Institute for Research, INC. · NIH-11138657 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to create new ways to make CAR T cell therapy more effective for cancer patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Morgridge Institute for Research, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $647,057 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA278051-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11138657 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant to cancer patients who are candidates for or have received CAR T cell therapy, especially those with B-cell lymphomas.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for CAR T cell therapy or other T cell-based immunotherapies would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
CAR T cell therapy is a powerful cancer treatment, but it doesn't work long-term for about half of patients. This project focuses on developing new, gentle imaging tools to understand and improve how CAR T cells are made and how they work. We want to find better ways to select patient cells for treatment, optimize the cell production process in the lab, and identify the most effective CAR T cells after they are given to patients. The goal is to overcome current challenges and help more patients achieve lasting remission.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective and longer-lasting CAR T cell therapies for cancer patients, potentially increasing the number of people who achieve durable remission.
How similar studies have gone: While CAR T cell therapy has shown success in some patients, this project explores novel, non-invasive imaging technologies to address current limitations in optimizing cell potency.
Where this research is happening
-
Morgridge Institute for Research, INC.
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Skala, Melissa Caroline — Morgridge Institute for Research, INC.
- Study coordinator: Skala, Melissa Caroline
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.