Understanding how CAR T cells can be improved for cancer treatment
Official title: Decoding 41BB-specific dysfunction programs in cellular immunotherapies for cancer
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11002290 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some cancer-fighting CAR T cells don't work as well as they should, so that we can make these treatments better for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $355,706 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA285572-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11002290 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with B cell leukemia or lymphoma who are considering or have undergone CAR T cell therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with solid tumors or those who do not have B cell malignancies may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons why CAR T cells, which are engineered to fight cancer, sometimes fail to provide lasting benefits to patients. By studying the molecular mechanisms that lead to T cell dysfunction, particularly focusing on the 41BB costimulatory domain, the research aims to enhance the effectiveness of these therapies. Patients may benefit from insights gained through this research, which could lead to improved CAR T cell therapies that provide better outcomes for cancer treatment. The approach includes developing in vitro systems to mimic T cell dysfunction and analyzing the resulting data to inform future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective CAR T cell therapies that result in longer-lasting remissions for cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in enhancing CAR T cell therapies, but this specific focus on the 41BB domain is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Singh, Nathan — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Singh, Nathan
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.