Next-gen genetic engineering of CD45 to boost CAR-T therapy for blood cancers
Official title: Next-generation genetic engineering of the pan-leukocyte antigen CD45 to facilitate CAR-T cell therapy against hematologic malignancies
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11413787 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team is developing a way to make CAR-T cells work for many blood cancers by re-engineering a common blood cell protein called CD45.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2017 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $445,555 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA214278-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413787 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with hematologic malignancies who may benefit from CAR-T cell therapy could be candidates once therapies based on this approach are developed.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for CAR-T therapy or whose cancer does not involve hematologic malignancies may not benefit.
What this research studies
Doctors and scientists are exploring a single genetic modification approach that could enable CAR-T cells to target a wide range of blood cancers, instead of designing a new CAR-T for every disease. The project focuses on editing CD45 so that CAR-T cells can be used across many hematologic malignancies. They will test mutations in CD45 on T cells and blood-forming stem cells to prevent fratricide and preserve immune function. If successful, this could speed up development and availability of CAR-T therapies for patients with different blood cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to faster, more versatile CAR-T treatments for a broad spectrum of blood cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous CAR-T approaches have shown success, but this strategy aims to broaden applicability by targeting a common antigen.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: June, Carl H. — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: June, Carl H.
Related research
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Making CD45 a single CAR‑T target for many blood cancers
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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.