Targeting tumor and T cell DNA methylation to boost CAR T therapy for diffuse midline glioma
Official title: Targeting tumor and T cell DNA methylomes to improve CAR T cell therapies for diffuse midline glioma
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11408774 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pediatric brain tumor study aims to improve CAR T cell therapy by tweaking DNA methylation in both tumor cells and CAR T cells to make treatments work better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $786,304 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA281823-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408774 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Candidates would be patients with diffuse midline glioma or other similar pediatric brain tumors, and may include samples or data from these patients.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with DMG whose tumors do not respond to epigenetic modulation or who cannot receive CAR T cell therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores why diffuse midline glioma resists CAR T cell therapy and tests strategies that combine CAR T cells with changes in DNA methylation to enhance immune activity. Researchers will study how epigenetic changes affect tumor and immune cell interactions and test whether these changes reduce T cell exhaustion and improve tumor killing. The work builds on prior findings that manipulating DNA methylation can stimulate innate immune pathways and enhance anti-tumor responses in brain tumors. The study uses preclinical models and translational approaches to identify combinational strategies that could lead to more durable CAR T cell responses for DMG patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more effective CAR T cell therapies for children with DMG, potentially prolonging survival and improving quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest that epigenetic modulation can enhance immune responses against brain tumors and improve CAR T cell activity in models, but results in DMG are still early.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mack, Stephen C — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Mack, Stephen C
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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.