Turning autoantibodies into CAR T cell treatment for small cell lung cancer
Translating Autoantibodies Into Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T cell Therapy for Small Cell Lung Cancer
Using antibodies found in some people with small cell lung cancer to make CAR T cells that can find and kill their cancer cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159667 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will use antibodies that people with small cell lung cancer naturally make to design CAR T cells that target tumor-specific surface proteins. The team identified 13 candidate surface antigens and will focus on the three most common targets that trigger autoantibodies. Researchers will create and test these CAR T cells in the lab and in preclinical models to confirm they bind tumor-specific changes and spare normal tissues. If those studies are successful, the work is intended to move toward early clinical testing as a new treatment option.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, particularly those whose tumors express the targeted surface antigens or who have the corresponding autoantibodies.
Not a fit: Patients with other cancer types, tumors that do not express the targeted antigens, or those who cannot receive cellular therapies are unlikely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide a new targeted immunotherapy for SCLC that attacks tumor cells where current immunotherapies have had limited success.
How similar studies have performed: CAR T cell therapy has been very successful in blood cancers but has had limited success in solid tumors, and using patient autoantibodies to guide CAR design is a promising but largely novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lastwika, Kristin J — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Lastwika, Kristin J
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.