Using engineered CD4 T cells to improve cancer treatment
Official title: Targeting the tumor microenvironment with engineered CD4+ T cells
Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-10943762 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new treatment that uses specially designed immune cells to help your body fight solid tumors like melanoma, aiming to boost the immune system's response and improve outcomes for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 8, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $693,880 |
| NIH project number | 1R37CA292663-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10943762 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with solid tumors, particularly those who have not responded to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-solid tumors or those who are not candidates for immune therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new immune therapy that utilizes engineered CD4 T cells to enhance the body's ability to fight solid tumors, such as melanoma. Unlike traditional approaches that primarily target cancer cells with CD8 T cells, this project aims to harness the supportive role of CD4 T cells, which help activate other immune cells. The researchers will engineer these CD4 T cells to deliver specific signals directly to tumors, potentially overcoming resistance to existing treatments. By studying both mouse models and patient samples, the team hopes to identify effective strategies for improving patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with solid tumors who currently do not respond to existing therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using engineered immune cells for cancer treatment, but this specific approach targeting CD4 T cells is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Veatch, Joshua R — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Veatch, Joshua R
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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.