Using advanced CAR T cells to target solid tumors more safely

Hijacking the T cell machinery for logic-gated CAR T cell control

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · NIH-11134804

This study is working on a new way to make CAR T cell therapy safer and more effective for people with solid tumors and other conditions, so patients can have better treatment options without as many side effects.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorDANA-FARBER CANCER INST (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11134804 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving CAR T cell therapy, which has been effective for certain blood cancers but struggles with solid tumors due to shared antigens with normal tissues. The team is developing a new approach that activates CAR T cells only when multiple specific antigens are present, reducing the risk of harmful side effects. By optimizing this technology, they aim to expand the use of CAR T cells to treat solid tumors and other conditions like myeloid malignancies and autoimmune diseases. Patients may benefit from a more effective and safer cancer treatment option.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include patients with solid tumors or myeloid malignancies who have not responded to standard treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage cancers or those whose tumors do not express the targeted antigens may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer and more effective treatment for patients with solid tumors and other related conditions.

How similar studies have performed: While CAR T cell therapy has shown success in treating blood cancers, this novel approach for solid tumors is largely untested and represents a new frontier in cancer treatment.

Where this research is happening

BOSTON, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Cancer Cause, Cancer Etiology, Cancers

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.