Making CAR T cells more consistent for longer-lasting cancer control
Deconvoluting CAR T cell heterogeneity to engineer durable antitumor protection
['FUNDING_R01'] · DARTMOUTH COLLEGE · NIH-11249527
This research is working to strengthen CAR T cell therapies so they last longer and work better against blood cancers and solid tumors.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DARTMOUTH COLLEGE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (HANOVER, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11249527 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are engineering 'armored' CAR T cells that produce supportive cytokines (an IL-2 superkine called Super2 and IL-33) to boost activity inside tumors. They will track how individual CAR T cells behave and change over time to understand which cells persist and provide long-term protection. The team uses laboratory models and analysis of patient-derived samples and long-term survivors to link manufacturing features to durable immune memory. Findings will guide ways to manufacture or modify CAR T products to increase memory-like cells and improve lasting tumor control.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future trials based on this work would be people with B-cell blood cancers (like certain leukemias and lymphomas) and potentially patients with solid tumors targeted by engineered CAR T cells.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors lack the specific target antigens, who have severe immune suppression, or who are medically ineligible for CAR T therapy are unlikely to benefit directly from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to CAR T therapies that produce longer remissions and fewer relapses for people with certain cancers.
How similar studies have performed: CAR T therapies have produced major successes in B-cell blood cancers, and prior preclinical work with armored CAR T cells has shown promise, but durable control of solid tumors remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
HANOVER, UNITED STATES
- DARTMOUTH COLLEGE — HANOVER, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HUANG, YINA HSING — DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
- Study coordinator: HUANG, YINA HSING
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.