Improving T cell therapies for cancer treatment
Official title: Decoding and reprogramming T cells through synthetic biology for cancer immunotherapy
Funded at J. David Gladstone Institutes · NIH-10995277 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new ways to make T cell therapies for cancer even better by using special techniques to change their DNA, which could help them work more effectively against tumors that they’ve been exposed to for a long time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | J. David Gladstone Institutes NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $749,187 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA276368-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995277 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with cancers that have not responded to existing T cell therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers or those who have not yet undergone T cell therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing T cell-based therapies for cancer by using synthetic biology techniques. The team aims to design new T cell therapies that are more effective and can overcome dysfunction caused by chronic exposure to tumor antigens. They will utilize advanced CRISPR technology to insert new synthetic DNA sequences into T cells, which may improve their ability to fight cancer. By screening various genes and gene programs, the researchers hope to discover innovative ways to boost the therapeutic functions of T cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that improve patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in enhancing T cell therapies using similar synthetic biology approaches, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
J. David Gladstone Institutes
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marson, Alexander — J. David Gladstone Institutes
- Study coordinator: Marson, Alexander
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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.