Targeting T-cell cancers with engineered immune cells
Official title: Dual-targeting allogeneic CAR T-cells for universal therapy of T-cell malignancies
Funded at March Biosciences INC · NIH-11006944 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new kind of immune cell therapy that aims to help people with tough-to-treat blood cancers like T-cell leukemia and lymphoma by using specially modified cells to attack cancer while protecting healthy cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | March Biosciences INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,013,623 |
| NIH project number | 1R44CA295245-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11006944 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with relapsed or refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia or T-cell lymphoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with B-cell malignancies or those who do not have T-cell cancers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new type of immune cell therapy called dual-specific CAR-T cells to treat aggressive T-cell malignancies like T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T-cell lymphoma. The approach involves using donor-derived T-cells that are modified to target specific markers found on cancer cells while avoiding damage to healthy cells. By engineering these cells to resist self-targeting and minimizing the risk of complications, the goal is to improve treatment outcomes for patients with limited options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective and safer treatment option for patients with T-cell malignancies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise with CAR-T cell therapies in B-cell cancers, but this approach for T-cell malignancies is novel and aims to address specific challenges faced in those cases.
Where this research is happening
-
March Biosciences INC
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hein, Sarah Marie — March Biosciences INC
- Study coordinator: Hein, Sarah Marie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Engineered CAR-T Therapy to Target Liver Cancer
A new CAR-T cell treatment is being developed for hepatocellular carcinoma to better recognize tumors and resist the immune-suppressing environment.
-
CD5 CAR-T therapy for T-cell lymphoma shows promise in a multi-center trial
A phase 2 study tests a CD5-targeted CAR-T cell therapy in people with relapsed or refractory T-cell lymphoma to see if it can improve outcomes.
-
Advanced CAR T-cells for T-cell Cancers
This project aims to create a new type of CAR T-cell therapy using donor cells to fight aggressive T-cell leukemias and lymphomas.
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.