Lung cancer immunotherapy with new CD4+ T cell receptor technology
Official title: Lung Cancer Immunotherapy using new generation of TCR-engineered CD4 + T cells
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11355556 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-focused cancer treatment project is testing a new type of engineered CD4+ T cells to help fight non-small cell lung cancer in people whose disease has progressed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $633,385 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA302874-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11355556 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with non-small cell lung cancer expressing CT83 antigen and who are candidates for cellular immunotherapy may be eligible, pending trial design specifics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not express CT83 or who cannot receive TCR-engineered cell therapies would be unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to translate a novel TCR-engineered CD4+ T cell therapy targeting a lung cancer antigen into a potential treatment for NSCLC. Researchers plan to combine academic and industry efforts to develop a CT83-specific T cell product and move it toward clinical testing. The approach leverages tumor antigens and MHC-II presentation to activate helper and cytotoxic responses, with attention to tumor heterogeneity and potential antigen loss. If successful, this work could offer a new immunotherapy option for patients who have limited responses to current therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with NSCLC could gain a new immunotherapy option that targets cancer cells more specifically and overcomes some resistance mechanisms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous translational efforts pairing academia with industry have shown promise in developing TCR-engineered T cell products for solid tumors, though this exact CT83/CD4+ approach is exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Rongfu — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Wang, Rongfu
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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.