Two-step engineered T cell therapy for adults with recurrent EGFRvIII-positive glioblastoma
Development of novel synNotch CART cell therapy in adult patients with recurrent EGFRvIII+ glioblastoma
A new two-step engineered T cell therapy aims to target and kill tumor cells in adults with recurrent EGFRvIII-positive glioblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173595 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
T cells are engineered with a synNotch receptor that detects the EGFRvIII change and then switches on CARs that recognize IL-13Rα2 and EphA2. This two-step design is meant to attack tumor cells that express either antigen while limiting activation against healthy tissues outside the brain. In preclinical models with mixed EGFRvIII expression, these synNotch-CAR T cells cleared tumors without attacking non-brain cells. The project develops this approach toward safe use in adults with recurrent GBM.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with recurrent glioblastoma whose tumors test positive for the EGFRvIII mutation would be the best candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors lack EGFRvIII, who have widely spread disease, or who are not medically fit for cell therapy may not receive benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could kill more glioblastoma cells while reducing damage to healthy organs, offering a new treatment option for recurrent GBM.
How similar studies have performed: Previous CAR T trials in glioblastoma have shown limited clinical success and safety challenges, and the synNotch-CAR approach is novel with promising animal results but limited human evidence so far.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Okada, Hideho — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Okada, Hideho
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.