Targeting medulloblastoma with multispecific T-cell engagers
Official title: Targeting Medulloblastoma with Multispecific Multivalent T-cell Engagers
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11446519 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pediatric brain cancer treatment study tests a new multi-targeted T-cell engager designed to reach brain tumors and help the immune system kill cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,238,024 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA305103-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446519 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with medulloblastoma, including SHH subtype and TP53-mutant cases, who have limited treatment options
✕Less likely to help
Very young children or patients whose tumors do not express the target markers may not benefit from this approach
What this research studies
This project focuses on children with medulloblastoma, a brain cancer where current treatments can cause lasting harm. Researchers plan to use trispecific, self-assembling T-cell engagers that can penetrate the brain and direct T cells to attack tumor cells. The approach combines targets B7-H3, EGFR, and a TCR component to kill tumor cells with potentially fewer side effects. The study builds on prior lab work showing these engagers can activate T cells and kill cancer cells in models of SHH-type medulloblastoma, including TP53-mutant forms. The grant supports development and testing of these brain-penetrant agents over several years at the University of Minnesota.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could provide a more targeted and potentially less toxic option for children with difficult-to-treat medulloblastoma.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work showed T-cell engagers can kill SHH medulloblastoma cells in models, supporting continued development
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wagner, Carston R. — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Wagner, Carston R.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Overcoming medulloblastoma resistance in kids using in vivo perturb-seq and preclinical therapies
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Dysregulation of a key gene complex and its role in Group 4 medulloblastoma
A study explores how disruption of a core gene complex in brain development may drive Group 4 medulloblastoma and seeks to understand new ways to help affected children.
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Targeting MBD2 for medulloblastoma therapy
Aimed at developing brain-penetrant small molecules to treat medulloblastoma in children by reactivating a tumor-suppressing gene.
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.