Improving T cell therapy for cancer and autoimmune diseases
Official title: Modulation of ITK signaling for sustainable adoptive T cell therapy
Funded at Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge · NIH-11054630 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to make CAR-T cell therapy safer and more effective for people with blood cancers and autoimmune conditions like lupus by tweaking how certain immune cells work, so they can better fight tumors without hurting healthy parts of the body.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baton Rouge, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $210,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA283872-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054630 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with B cell malignancies or autoimmune diseases who may benefit from enhanced CAR-T cell therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to B cell malignancies or autoimmune disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness and safety of CAR-T cell therapy, which is used to treat certain blood cancers and autoimmune conditions like lupus. The team is investigating how to modulate a specific signaling pathway in T cells to improve their ability to fight tumors while reducing harmful side effects. By studying the role of IL-2-inducible T cell kinase (ITK), the researchers aim to create T cells that are more durable and effective against cancer without causing excessive damage to healthy tissues. This approach could lead to better outcomes for patients receiving this type of therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in modifying T cell signaling pathways to improve CAR-T cell therapy, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Weishan — Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge
- Study coordinator: Huang, Weishan
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.