New methods to measure T-cell activity in cancer treatment
Official title: New tools for quantitative non-invasive recording of biochemical signals
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11005306 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new ways to safely track how T-cells, which are important for fighting cancer, respond to tumors over time, with the hope of improving CAR T-cell therapy for patients with solid tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $661,301 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA279813-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11005306 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with blood cancers or solid tumors who are undergoing or considering CAR T-cell therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to T-cell function or those not receiving cancer treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative tools to non-invasively record biochemical signals related to T-cell function, particularly in the context of cancer therapy. By tracking calcium signaling in T-cells, the study aims to understand how these immune cells respond to tumors over time. This approach could help identify T-cells that are effective against cancer and those that may become exhausted. The goal is to enhance the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy, especially for solid tumors, by providing insights into T-cell behavior in the tumor microenvironment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved CAR T-cell therapies that are more effective in treating various cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using calcium signaling as a measure of T-cell function, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaner, Nathan Christopher — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Shaner, Nathan Christopher
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.