Smart CAR-T cells that target tumors more precisely
Precise tumor targeting with logic CAR circuits
A new 'logic' CAR‑T system designed to help immune cells attack tumors while sparing nearby healthy tissues for people with cancers that share antigens with normal organs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11167465 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a split, universal and programmable (SUPRA) CAR system using human T cells to improve tumor targeting precision. The design uses logical circuits (AND and NIMPLY) to recognize combinations of antigens, finely tune T‑cell activation strength, and independently control two T‑cell subtypes. Experiments include controlled delivery and testing in a mouse model engineered to express human-like liver antigens to check for off‑tumor toxicity. The project combines synthetic biology, immunology, tumor biology, and biomaterials to move toward safer clinical applications.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients whose tumors express the specific antigen combinations targeted and who are candidates for cellular immunotherapy would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers lack the targeted antigens or who are not eligible for T‑cell therapies are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could make CAR‑T therapies safer for patients with solid tumors by reducing damage to healthy organs that share the same target antigens.
How similar studies have performed: Conventional CAR‑T has been successful for some blood cancers, while logic‑gated and SUPRA CAR approaches remain mostly preclinical but have shown promising results in laboratory and animal studies.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University (Charles River Campus) — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wong, Wilson — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Wong, Wilson
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.