Improving T-cell function for cancer treatment
Official title: Engineering bZIP family transcription factors for therapeutic T-cell persistence and effector function
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10936418 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to make T-cells, which help fight cancer, stronger and more effective so they can better tackle tough tumors, with the hope that this will lead to better cancer treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $483,041 |
| NIH project number | 1R37CA285289-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10936418 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with solid tumors who are undergoing or considering T-cell based immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-solid tumors or those not eligible for T-cell therapies may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of T-cells, which are crucial for cancer immunotherapy. By engineering specific transcription factors, the study aims to improve T-cell resilience against the stressors present in solid tumors, which often lead to T-cell dysfunction. The approach involves both overexpressing beneficial transcription factors and knocking out those that promote dysfunction, with the goal of creating T-cells that can persist longer and function better in attacking tumors. Patients may benefit from more effective cancer treatments that utilize these engineered T-cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer therapies that improve patient outcomes by enhancing T-cell persistence and function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in enhancing T-cell function through genetic modifications, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Foight, Glenna Wink — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Foight, Glenna Wink
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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.