Therapies that target proteins on brain tumor cells
Cell surface receptor targeted therapies for brain tumors
This work develops off-the-shelf cell therapies designed to help the immune system attack aggressive brain tumors like glioblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11256724 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are engineering mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to release bispecific T cell engagers that bind common tumor proteins (EGFR and EGFRvIII) and CD3 on T cells. The MSC are encapsulated in a biocompatible synthetic matrix to be placed after tumor surgery so they stay near the tumor site. In animal models these engineered MSCs redirect a patient’s own unmodified blood T cells to the tumor and have caused tumor shrinkage. The team is focused on overcoming the suppressive tumor environment and avoiding T cell exhaustion that limits current T cell therapies in brain tumors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with newly diagnosed or recurrent glioblastoma whose tumors express EGFR or EGFRvIII and who are eligible for local post-surgical treatment.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors lack EGFR/EGFRvIII expression, those with widespread metastatic disease, or those unable to undergo local delivery near the surgical site may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could become an off-the-shelf cell therapy to reduce tumor regrowth or shrink glioblastoma after surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Related T cell approaches like CAR-T have been very successful in blood cancers but have had limited success in solid brain tumors, while early animal studies of MSC-delivered T cell engagers show promising results.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shah, Khalid a — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Shah, Khalid a
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 below.