Simplifying CAR T therapy by programming flu-specific T cells inside the body
Official title: Democratizing CAR T cell therapy by in situ programming of virus-specific T cells
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11231988 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The team plans to deliver CAR instructions into a patient's flu-fighting T cells so they can quickly target multiple myeloma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00CA276890-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11231988 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with BCMA-positive multiple myeloma who have influenza-specific T cells or are willing to receive a seasonal flu vaccine and are eligible for experimental CAR T approaches.
✕Less likely to help
People whose cancers do not express BCMA, who lack influenza-specific T cells, or who cannot receive experimental treatments are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers will create tiny lipid nanoparticles that carry mRNA for a BCMA-targeting CAR and display influenza peptide/HLA to find flu-specific T cells. These nanoparticles are designed to enter those T cells in the body and reprogram them to recognize and kill BCMA-expressing myeloma cells. Seasonal influenza vaccination will be used to boost the targeted T cells and increase CAR activity. Initial testing will use lab and animal models focused on human T cells with plans to expand to other CAR targets like CD19 if successful.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make CAR T treatment faster, much less expensive, and more accessible for people with blood cancers such as multiple myeloma.
How similar studies have gone: Some preclinical work has shown lipid nanoparticles can deliver CAR mRNA in animals, but in‑body programming of virus-specific T cells for BCMA is largely novel and experimental.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Su, Fang-Yi — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Su, Fang-Yi
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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.