Using a CMV vaccine to boost CD19 CAR T cells against B-cell lymphoma

CMV-specific CD19 CAR T cells amplified in vivo using CMV Triplex vaccine for B-NHL

NIH-funded research Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11238428

Adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma would receive CD19 CAR T cells made from CMV-targeted T cells plus a CMV vaccine to help those cells expand and stay active in the body.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBeckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Duarte, United States)
Project IDNIH-11238428 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would have your immune T cells selected for reactivity to CMV and then modified to carry a CD19 receptor that targets B-cell lymphoma. Those engineered, bi-specific CAR T cells would be infused back into you. After infusion, you would get the Triplex CMV vaccine to stimulate the CMV-specific feature of the CAR T cells so they grow and stay functional in your body. The vaccine Triplex has already been shown to be safe and strongly boost CMV-directed immune responses in earlier trials.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults (21+) with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma who are eligible for autologous CD19 CAR T-cell therapy would be the intended candidates.

Not a fit: People who are not eligible for CAR T treatment, have different types of cancer, or have medical conditions that prevent receiving cellular therapy or vaccination are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make CAR T therapy last longer and produce more durable remissions for people with B-cell NHL.

How similar studies have performed: Standard CD19 CAR T therapy can cure some patients but often fails because cells don't persist, and while the Triplex CMV vaccine has been safe and immunogenic in earlier trials, combining CMV-specific T cells with a CAR is a novel strategy.

Where this research is happening

Duarte, 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.