Making CD45 a single CAR‑T target for many blood cancers
Next-generation genetic engineering of the pan-leukocyte antigen CD45 to facilitate CAR-T cell therapy against hematologic malignancies
['FUNDING_P01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · NIH-11192827
This project alters immune cells so CD45 can be safely targeted, aiming to create one CAR‑T approach that could treat multiple blood cancers.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_P01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11192827 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If I were a patient with a blood cancer, researchers would explain that CAR‑T cells usually target markers found on a single cell type, but CD45 is present on most blood cells which makes it hard to target safely. Because T cells themselves express CD45, CAR‑T cells against CD45 can kill each other and lose function, so the team will genetically change T cells and hematopoietic stem cells to remove or modify CD45. They will test these engineered cells in the lab and in preclinical models to show they can survive, work against cancer, and be safely reintroduced. The long-term aim is to develop a single CAR‑T product that could be used across many hematologic malignancies instead of needing a different CAR‑T for each disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with B‑cell or other hematologic malignancies who might be eligible for CAR‑T approaches and are willing to consider novel engineered‑cell therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with solid tumors or blood disorders not related to hematologic malignancies are unlikely to benefit from this CD45‑focused approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow one off‑the‑shelf CAR‑T approach to treat many types of blood cancer, speeding up access to cellular therapy.
How similar studies have performed: CAR‑T therapies targeting lineage markers like CD19 and BCMA have been very successful clinically, but targeting a pan‑hematologic antigen like CD45 is a newer, largely preclinical strategy.
Where this research is happening
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA — PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GILL, SAAR — UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- Study coordinator: GILL, SAAR
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.