NextGen - CHOP: Advanced T-cell Therapies for Pediatric Cancers
Official title: NextGen - CHOP
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11539618 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-focused program aims to develop next-generation engineered T-cell therapies to treat childhood solid tumors and B-cell leukemias, with a plan to move toward routine use within a decade.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | June 24, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $911,333 |
| NIH project number | 3OT2CA278687-01S4 |
| Project ID | NIH-11539618 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children with solid tumors or B-ALL that express suitable targets for engineered T-cell therapy and who are eligible for early-phase clinical development.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without the identified targets or who are not eligible for early-stage T-cell therapy may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
This program partners researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to create engineered T-cell therapies tailored for pediatric solid cancers and B-ALL. It combines discovery of tumor targets from primary tumors with advanced cellular engineering and a linked clinical development plan. The approach addresses challenges like target scarcity and tumor microenvironment to improve durability and safety for children. The project envisions translating these therapies into routine care for kids within ten years. The work is organized into interconnected activities that gradually advance from target discovery to early clinical development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, children with hard-to-treat cancers could receive highly targeted, durable treatments with potentially fewer long-term toxicities.
How similar studies have gone: Related engineered T-cell approaches have shown meaningful activity in blood cancers, and this project seeks to extend that progress to pediatric solid tumors with novel targets.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maris, John M — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Maris, John M
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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.