Targeting CAR-T cells to colorectal cancer tumors
Official title: Ligand-Induced Recruitment of CAR-T Cells to Colorectal Cancers
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-11001555 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $164,093 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA286339-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001555 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer who have not responded to conventional treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hematologic cancers or those whose colorectal cancer is not amenable to CAR-T cell therapy may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Snook, Adam — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Snook, Adam
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.