Understanding TCRs in Leukemia to Improve Immunotherapies
Official title: Integrating Single-Cell TCR Landscapes and Structural Fingerprints to Advance Leukemia Immunotherapies
Funded at University of Houston · NIH-11616276 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A short, patient-friendly look at a project trying to map how immune cells recognize leukemia so future therapies can be better and safer for people with AML.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2026 |
| Project end | September 8, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $526,443 |
| NIH project number | 1R56CA304245-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11616276 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with leukemia (especially AML) who could later participate in translational studies or clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to specialized immunotherapies or those not eligible for future trials may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant aims to build a more complete map of how T cells recognize leukemia by combining single-cell TCR data with 3D structural information. The team plans to create integrated tools and datasets that reveal how T cells interact with AML antigens, which could guide smarter, more effective therapies. By focusing on the leukemia immune environment and the true structure of TCRs, the project seeks to overcome current barriers that limit T-cell–based treatments for leukemia. The work involves advanced sequencing, 3D modeling, and AI to link TCR features with antigen targets in leukemia patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to more precise and durable T-cell therapies for leukemia, potentially improving remission rates and reducing relapse.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that better understanding of TCR-antigen pairing can improve immunotherapy design, but comprehensive 3D-structured TCR data in leukemia is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Antunes, Dinler — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Antunes, Dinler
Related research
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A wide-ranging study looks at how inherited genetics influence the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia around the world.
-
Genomics of childhood ALL across diverse populations
A large international study will look at why children everywhere get acute lymphoblastic leukemia and how genetics may influence risk.
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.