Using B7-H3 CAR T cells after radiation to treat a deadly brain tumor in children and young adults
Official title: B7-H3 CAR T cells following initial radiation for children and young adults with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11048809 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment using special immune cells called B7-H3 CAR T cells for children and young adults with a tough brain tumor called DIPG, hoping to help them live longer after their initial radiation therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $456,414 |
| NIH project number | 1R37CA289981-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11048809 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children and young adults diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma who have undergone initial radiation therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain tumors or those who have not received initial radiation therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of B7-H3 CAR T cells in children and young adults diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a highly aggressive brain tumor. The approach involves administering these engineered immune cells after the patients have received initial radiation therapy, aiming to improve survival rates. The study builds on previous findings that showed promising results in a first-in-human trial, where patients treated with CAR T cells had a longer median overall survival compared to historical data. Patients will be monitored closely, and advanced imaging techniques will be used to assess treatment efficacy and identify biomarkers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly extend survival and improve the quality of life for children and young adults with DIPG.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using CAR T cell therapy have shown promising results in other cancers, indicating potential for success in this novel application for DIPG.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vitanza, Nicholas a — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Vitanza, Nicholas a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
B7-H3 CAR T cells after initial radiation for children and young adults with DIPG
A new treatment approach uses B7-H3 CAR T cells after initial radiation to help children and young adults with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma feel better and live longer.
-
Targeting the ATIC enzyme in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG)
Researchers are testing ways to block a metabolic enzyme called ATIC to try to slow or stop aggressive DIPG tumors in children.
-
Investigating a new treatment target for a deadly childhood brain cancer
This study is looking at a new way to fight a tough brain cancer called DIPG in kids by targeting a specific molecule that might help the tumors grow, with hopes of finding better treatments to help these children.
-
Peptide vaccine targeting CMV for children with high-grade glioma, DIPG, and recurrent medulloblastoma
This vaccine trains the immune system to target a viral protein (CMV pp65) that is often found in certain pediatric brain tumors to help slow or shrink the tumor.
-
Using targeted therapy to treat a deadly brain tumor in children
This study is testing a new treatment for children with a tough brain tumor called DIPG, using special molecules to target a specific gene mutation in the tumor, with the hope of helping kids live longer and healthier lives.
-
Targeting a specific mutation in brain tumors with RNA nanoparticles
This study is testing a new treatment for kids with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a tough-to-treat brain tumor, by using special mRNA vaccines that help the immune system fight the cancer, and it hopes to eventually help children with this condition.
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.