One-step scaffold method to make CAR‑T cells quickly
MASTER Scaffolds for Rapid, Single-Step Manufacture and Prototyping of CAR-T cells
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · NIH-11182461
A one-step scaffold method to grow CAR‑T cells from a patient’s blood to speed treatment for people with B‑cell cancers.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11182461 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you join, your white blood cells would be mixed with the CAR gene on a porous alginate scaffold called MASTER, then the scaffold would be placed back into your body to make CAR‑T cells there. The scaffold is coated with immune‑activating antibodies and contains growth signals so it can activate cells, deliver the CAR gene, and expand cells without lengthy lab processing. That could cut weeks off current manufacturing, lower costs, and produce CAR‑T cells that are less mature and may persist longer in your body. The team at UNC Chapel Hill is developing this approach to move toward patient-facing testing for people with B‑cell malignancies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with B‑cell malignancies who are candidates for CAR‑T therapy and who can be treated at or travel to UNC Chapel Hill are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without B‑cell cancers, those not eligible for CAR‑T, or those unable to get care at the study site would not be expected to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make CAR‑T therapy faster and cheaper and create cells that may last longer and work better for patients.
How similar studies have performed: CAR‑T therapy itself has shown strong clinical success for some B‑cell cancers, but the MASTER scaffold manufacturing method is a novel approach with promising laboratory results and limited clinical testing so far.
Where this research is happening
CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES
- UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL — CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BRUDNO, YEVGENY — UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- Study coordinator: BRUDNO, YEVGENY
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.