Targeting CAR-T cells to colorectal cancer tumors

Ligand-Induced Recruitment of CAR-T Cells to Colorectal Cancers

NIH-funded research Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-11001555

This study is exploring a new way to make CAR-T cell therapy work better for people with colorectal cancer by tweaking the cells so they can find and attack tumors more effectively, which could lead to a more successful treatment option for patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionThomas Jefferson University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11001555 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a novel approach to enhance CAR-T cell therapy for colorectal cancer by engineering CAR-T cells to better target and infiltrate tumors. The study aims to utilize specific chemokine receptors that can guide these modified cells directly to the cancerous tissues, potentially improving their effectiveness. By testing this method in human colorectal cancer models and mouse models, the research seeks to evaluate both the safety and efficacy of this targeted therapy. Patients may benefit from a more effective treatment option that could overcome the limitations of current CAR-T therapies in solid tumors.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer who have not responded to conventional treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with hematologic cancers or those whose colorectal cancer is not amenable to CAR-T cell therapy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective CAR-T cell therapy for patients with colorectal cancer.

How similar studies have performed: While CAR-T cell therapy has shown success in hematologic cancers, this approach for solid tumors like colorectal cancer is still novel and untested.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions anti-cancer therapyCancer Modelcancer therapyCancer Treatment
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.