Improving T cell movement into tumors for cancer treatment

Aak1 to increase infiltration of adoptively transferred cells into solid tumors

NIH-funded research Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11026343

This study is looking at how to help T cells better reach and fight solid tumors by exploring a protein called Aak1, which plays a role in T cell movement, to see if changing it can improve cancer treatments like CAR-T.

Quick facts

Grant typeR37 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rochester, United States)
Project IDNIH-11026343 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing the ability of T cells to infiltrate solid tumors, which is a significant challenge in therapies like CAR-T. The team aims to investigate a specific protein, Aak1, that regulates T cell movement into tumors. By modifying Aak1, they will assess its impact on T cell trafficking and therapeutic effectiveness in preclinical models. The study will also explore how Aak1 affects the internalization of a key receptor involved in T cell migration.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with solid tumors who are undergoing or considering adoptive cell therapies.

Not a fit: Patients with non-solid tumors or those not eligible for adoptive cell therapies may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments by improving the efficacy of adoptive cell therapies.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in enhancing T cell infiltration in tumors, but this specific approach targeting Aak1 is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Rochester, 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.
Conditions anti-cancer immunotherapy
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.