New cell receptors designed to target solid tumors for cancer treatment
Official title: Computationally designed, small molecule-responsive cell receptors for treating solid tumors
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11100012 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating special tools that help the immune system better find and attack solid tumors, especially in tricky situations where regular treatments don’t work as well, so that patients can have more effective and targeted cancer therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $238,927 |
| NIH project number | 5R21EB035208-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11100012 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients with solid tumors, such as breast cancer, who may benefit from advanced immunotherapy approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-solid tumors or those who do not have specific tumor antigens targeted by this research may not receive any benefit.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative cell receptors that can effectively target solid tumors, particularly in complex environments where traditional therapies struggle. By utilizing a modular approach, the project aims to create receptors that respond specifically to tumor cell surface proteins and metabolites found in the tumor microenvironment. This method seeks to enhance the activation of T cells, which are crucial for attacking cancer cells, while minimizing off-target effects that can lead to T cell exhaustion. The research involves engineering synthetic receptors that work together to improve the precision and efficacy of cancer therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for solid tumors, improving outcomes for patients with cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While CAR T cell therapies have shown promise in hematological cancers, this novel approach targeting solid tumors is relatively untested, making it a potentially groundbreaking endeavor.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Glasgow, Anum Azam — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Glasgow, Anum Azam
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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.