NIH-funded research R37 grant

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.

More Glioma research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR37 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSeattle Children's Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project startJune 1, 2025
Project endApril 30, 2030
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$456,414
NIH project number1R37CA289981-01A1
Project IDNIH-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.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.