Improving the safety and effectiveness of cell therapy for cancer treatment
Decoupling acute toxicities and antitumor efficacy in adoptive cell therapy
This study is looking at how to make CAR T cell therapy safer and more effective for cancer patients with solid tumors by using a medication called clofazimine to help reduce side effects like fever and confusion while boosting the treatment's ability to fight tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11076783 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how to enhance the safety and effectiveness of adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, particularly for patients with solid tumors. The study focuses on reducing harmful side effects, such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity, which can occur in a significant number of patients. Researchers will explore the use of a drug called clofazimine to mitigate these side effects while also improving the therapy's ability to target and eliminate tumors. By repurposing an existing medication, the research aims to provide a safer and more effective treatment option for cancer patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with solid tumors who are considering or currently undergoing adoptive cell therapy.
Not a fit: Patients with B cell malignancies who are already responding well to existing CAR T cell therapies may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective cancer treatments, improving survival rates for patients undergoing cell therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in repurposing existing drugs to enhance cancer therapies, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Methodist Hospital Research Institute — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Yong — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Lu, Yong
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 below.