Mechanical-sensing CAR T cells to make cancer immunotherapy safer
Synthetic Mechano-Transduction For Improved Cell Therapies In Immuno-Oncology
This project will engineer CAR T cells to sense mechanical cues in tumors so they attack cancer cells more precisely and cause fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249646 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will measure mechanical forces on key immune receptors using genetically encoded force-sensitive coiled-coils. They will build force-activated modules that release transcription activators only when those mechanical cues are present. Those modules will be inserted into CARs and tested in cells and animal models to see if tumor targeting improves and off-target effects decrease. If successful, the tools could be adapted for CAR T therapies aimed at solid tumors before moving toward clinical testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with solid tumors who are candidates for experimental CAR T-cell therapies or interested in trials to improve CAR specificity may be the best fit.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers not amenable to CAR T approaches or who require immediate standard-of-care treatment are unlikely to benefit from this early-stage laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reduce off-target toxicity and improve the safety and precision of CAR T-cell treatments for solid tumors.
How similar studies have performed: This uses relatively new mechanobiology and CAR-engineering techniques that have shown promise in lab studies but are largely unproven in patients.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berro, Julien — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Berro, Julien
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.