Protecting immune cell telomeres to improve CAR‑T and other cell therapies
Neutralizing oxidative damage at telomeres prevents T cell dysfunction and improves adoptive cell therapies against cancer
['FUNDING_R21'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11247925
This project tries to protect immune cells from oxidative damage so CAR‑T and other immune cell therapies work better for people with cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11247925 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will study immune cells from tumors and blood to see whether oxidative damage builds up at telomeres and harms T cell function. They will use mouse models and human tumor samples to test approaches that neutralize reactive oxygen species and protect telomeres. The team will modify or precondition T cells used for adoptive cell therapies and measure whether these cells persist longer, infiltrate tumors better, and kill cancer cells more effectively. Findings from lab and animal work will guide potential changes to how therapeutic T cells are prepared for use in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancer who are receiving or may be eligible for CAR‑T or other adoptive T cell therapies (for example certain blood cancers and some tumor trials) would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are not treated with adoptive cell therapies or whose disease is unrelated to T cell dysfunction driven by oxidative telomere damage may not benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make CAR‑T and other adoptive T cell therapies last longer and fight tumors more effectively.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show that lowering oxidative stress or reprogramming T cell metabolism can help immune therapies, but directly targeting telomere oxidative damage in T cells is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: RIVADENEIRA, DAYANA — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: RIVADENEIRA, DAYANA
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.
Conditions: Cancer Model