TROP2-targeting CAR-NK therapy for pancreatic cancer
Official title: TROP2-Directed CAR-NK Cells for the Immunotherapy of Pancreatic Cancer
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11294327 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops an off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell therapy engineered to target the TROP2 protein on pancreatic cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 5, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $370,575 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA288617-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11294327 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma whose tumors express TROP2, particularly those with advanced or treatment-resistant disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors lack TROP2 expression, those with other cancer types, or people medically ineligible for cell therapy are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
The team is engineering donor (cord blood) NK cells to carry a humanized TROP2-targeting receptor and enhancements to boost NK cell activity and persistence. They plan to add an NK-specific co-stimulatory signal (DAP10), include IL-15 to help the cells survive, and pair these changes with checkpoint-blocking strategies to overcome the tumor microenvironment. Work includes laboratory and animal testing built on the group's prior cord blood CAR‑NK experience and aims to pick the best product design for clinical use. Promising results would support moving toward early human testing at the sponsoring center.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could become a ready-made cell therapy that more effectively attacks pancreatic tumors while reducing some toxicities of current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Related cord blood CAR‑NK therapy against CD19 showed safety and activity in blood cancers, but applying CAR‑NK strategies to solid tumors like pancreatic cancer is novel and early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Basar, Rafet — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Basar, Rafet
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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.