Understanding how aging affects the effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy for cancer treatment

Defining the Role of Senescence in Limiting Therapeutic Efficacy of CAR T Cells

NIH-funded research Stanford University · NIH-10907783

This study is looking at how aging in certain immune cells might make CAR T cell therapy less effective for fighting cancer, and it hopes to find ways to improve this treatment for patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project IDNIH-10907783 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of cellular aging, specifically senescence, in reducing the effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy, a promising treatment for certain cancers. The study aims to identify specific markers of senescence in T cells and how these markers relate to the cells' ability to fight cancer. By examining the relationship between telomerase activity and T cell function, the research seeks to uncover ways to enhance the efficacy of CAR T therapy. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to improved treatment strategies for cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing CAR T cell therapy for B cell malignancies.

Not a fit: Patients who are not receiving CAR T cell therapy or those with solid tumors that are not targeted by CAR T therapy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective CAR T cell therapies, improving outcomes for cancer patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding T cell exhaustion can improve CAR T cell therapy, suggesting that exploring senescence may also yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Stanford, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.