NKT cell therapy for B‑cell lymphoma
Project 1: Immunotherapy of B cell lymphoma with NKT cells
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · NIH-11178341
This project offers an off‑the‑shelf immune cell treatment using engineered natural killer T (NKT) cells for adults with B‑cell non‑Hodgkin lymphoma.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (HOUSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11178341 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are using natural killer T (NKT) cells that are engineered to carry a CAR targeting CD19 on B‑cell lymphoma cells to directly kill cancer and activate other immune responses. Early patients treated with allogeneic CAR‑NKT cells tolerated the therapy well and some had tumor responses, but the engineered cells did not persist long enough in the blood. To help the cells survive longer, the team added genetic elements designed to reduce recognition and rejection by the patient’s immune system. The work is being tested in a first‑in‑human clinical trial at Baylor College of Medicine to learn about safety, how long the cells persist, and whether responses can be made more durable.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with relapsed or refractory B‑cell non‑Hodgkin lymphoma, including patients who have failed prior CD19 CAR‑T therapies, are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that are not B‑cell lymphomas, children, or people who are too frail or medically ineligible for cell therapy are unlikely to benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a ready‑made cell therapy that kills B‑cell lymphoma cells and lasts longer in the body, helping patients who do not respond to current treatments.
How similar studies have performed: CD19 CAR‑T therapies have produced durable remissions for many B‑cell lymphoma patients and an early phase trial of allogeneic CAR‑NKT cells showed promising responses in a few patients, but the specific genetic strategy to reduce rejection is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
HOUSTON, UNITED STATES
- BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE — HOUSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: METELITSA, LEONID S — BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- Study coordinator: METELITSA, LEONID S
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.