Improving T-cell therapy for solid tumors using a new pre-treatment

VLA-4–targeted 67Cu-LLP2A preconditioning enhances efficacy of T-cell-based adoptive immunotherapy

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11101299

This work explores a new way to prepare the body for T-cell therapies, hoping to make them more effective against solid tumors like melanoma and neuroblastoma.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded)
Locations1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11101299 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

T-cell therapies, like CAR T cells, have shown great success in blood cancers but struggle with solid tumors because the T cells often can't reach or survive well within the tumor. Currently, chemotherapy is used to clear out some immune cells before T-cell therapy, but this can have harsh side effects. This project is testing a new targeted treatment, 67Cu-LLP2A, which aims to more precisely reduce certain immune cells that block T-cell therapies. By combining this targeted treatment with a lower dose of standard chemotherapy, the goal is to help the therapeutic T cells work better against solid tumors with fewer side effects.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients with solid tumors, such as melanoma or neuroblastoma, who are candidates for T-cell based immunotherapies may eventually benefit from this research.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions not related to solid tumors or those who are not candidates for T-cell therapy may not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more effective and safer T-cell therapies for patients with solid tumors, potentially improving treatment outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Adoptive T-cell therapies have shown success in blood cancers, but this specific preconditioning strategy for solid tumors is a novel approach being tested.

Where this research is happening

PITTSBURGH, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.