Next-Generation NK Cell Therapy for Ovarian Cancer
Official title: Next-Generation Engineered NK Cell Immunotherapy for Ovarian Cancer
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11412482 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cutting-edge, donor-derived natural killer (NK) cell therapy is being developed to treat ovarian cancer more safely and effectively than traditional CAR-T approaches.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $329,670 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA281701-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412482 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with ovarian cancer, especially those with platinum-resistant disease or those who may benefit from NK cell–based therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancer does not express targetable markers or who cannot tolerate cellular therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a universal, off-the-shelf NK cell therapy that can target ovarian cancer with high specificity. It builds on prior work showing NK cells can be engineered safely and effectively in patients, but focuses on solid tumors where current options are limited. The approach includes enhancing NK cell potency, persistence, and safety through optimized signaling, supportive cytokines, and checkpoint inhibition, with a focus on the TROP2 target in platinum-resistant disease. If successful, this could provide a faster, more scalable and potentially less toxic treatment option for women facing ovarian cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with ovarian cancer could receive a potent, off-the-shelf immunotherapy that works against resistant tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous cord blood–derived CAR-NK studies showed safety and signals of efficacy, supporting further development in solid tumors.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rezvani, Katy — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Rezvani, Katy
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting PP4 to boost ovarian cancer response to immunotherapy
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Enhancing Cancer Immunotherapy for Resistant High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer with a New Platinum Nanotherapy
A new platinum-based nanotherapy is being tested to help women with chemoresistant high-grade serous ovarian cancer survive longer by boosting cancer-killing immune responses.
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Next-generation engineered NK cell therapy for ovarian cancer
This project offers a new off-the-shelf NK cell treatment designed to attack ovarian cancer, especially disease that is resistant to platinum chemotherapy.
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Improving ovarian cancer treatment with immunotherapy by targeting PP4
This project looks at how blocking a protein called PP4 might make immunotherapy work better for women with ovarian cancer.
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Investigating a new immunotherapy approach for ovarian cancer
This study is testing a new treatment for advanced ovarian cancer that combines a special immune therapy with a vaccine to help your body fight the cancer better, and it’s looking for patients to see how well it works and if it’s safe.
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Developing a new treatment for ovarian cancer using engineered proteins
This study is testing a new treatment for ovarian cancer that uses a special protein to help the immune system target cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone, and it's designed for people battling this tough disease.
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.