Understanding how CAR T-cells kill cancer cells repeatedly
Official title: What fuels CAR T-cell serial killing
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11043335 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how CAR T-cells, a type of immune cell used in cancer treatment, can be more effective at killing cancer cells by understanding their energy use and how certain genes affect their performance, which could help improve therapies for patients with acute myeloid leukemia and other advanced cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | March 9, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $309,507 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA278837-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043335 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia or other advanced malignancies who may benefit from CAR T-cell therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers or those not eligible for CAR T-cell therapy may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms that enable CAR T-cells to effectively kill cancer cells multiple times. By examining the energy costs associated with T-cell migration and cytotoxicity, the study aims to identify how metabolic factors influence the effectiveness of these immune cells. Using advanced technology, the researchers will analyze how certain genes and metabolic conditions affect the ability of CAR T-cells to target and eliminate tumor cells. The findings could lead to improved CAR T-cell therapies for patients with acute myeloid leukemia and other advanced cancers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapies, leading to better outcomes for patients with aggressive blood cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with CAR T-cell therapies, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'connor, Roderick — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: O'connor, Roderick
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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.