New NK‑cell therapy for lymphoma when CD19 CAR‑T stops working
Next Generation Engineered NK Cells for Lymphoma Patients after CD19 CAR-T Cell Failure.
A new natural killer (NK) cell treatment for people with B‑cell lymphoma whose CD19 CAR‑T therapy has stopped working.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321221 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This builds on earlier work using cord‑blood NK cells and aims to make NK cells stronger and last longer by adding optimized signaling, protective cytokines, and blocking immune checkpoints. The team has identified CD70 as a promising target in many patients who relapse after CD19 CAR‑T and will engineer NK cells to recognize and kill CD70‑positive lymphoma cells. The approach focuses on off‑the‑shelf, donor‑derived NK cells so you would not need to have your own immune cells collected. If you enroll at a participating cancer center, you would receive the engineered NK cells and be monitored for tumor response and side effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with B‑cell lymphoid malignancies who have relapsed after CD19 CAR‑T therapy (including CD19‑positive or CD19‑negative relapses) are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients without B‑cell lymphoma or whose tumors do not express the trial target (for example, CD70) are unlikely to benefit from this specific therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide a safe, off‑the‑shelf treatment option for patients with B‑cell lymphoma who relapse after CD19 CAR‑T therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Early human data using cord‑blood CD19 CAR‑NK cells showed safety and promising anti‑tumor activity, while this next‑generation engineered NK approach is newer and builds on those results.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Daher, May — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Daher, May
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.