Tracking CAR T cell therapy response and side effects using advanced technology
Official title: Monitoring CAR T Cell Therapeutic Response and Toxicity with Real-time, Label-free Cell Quantification
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11116533 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to keep track of CAR T cells in your blood during treatment for cancer or autoimmune diseases, using a special technology that helps doctors see how many of these important immune cells you have, so they can make your treatment safer and more effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | April 9, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $170,376 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA301006-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11116533 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing CAR T cell therapy for cancer or autoimmune diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving CAR T cell therapy or those with conditions unrelated to the targeted therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving CAR T cell therapy, a treatment for cancer and autoimmune diseases, by developing a new method to monitor the quantity of CAR T cells in a patient's blood. The approach utilizes surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) combined with machine learning to provide real-time, cost-effective quantification of these immune cells. By accurately tracking CAR T cell levels, the research aims to enhance treatment efficacy and quickly identify potential toxicities. This innovative technique could lead to better patient management during therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective monitoring of CAR T cell therapies, improving patient outcomes and safety.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using advanced imaging and quantification techniques in immunotherapy, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dionne, Jennifer a. — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Dionne, Jennifer a.
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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.