Using engineered immune cells to boost the body's natural ability to fight solid tumors
Official title: Activating Native Tumor Immunity with IL-33 Armored CARs
Funded at Dartmouth College · NIH-11097235 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to make CAR T cell therapy work better for people with solid tumors by using special signals to boost the body's immune response, and it's testing this approach in mice to see how well it can fight different types of cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $575,420 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA271553-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11097235 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with solid tumors who have not responded well to existing therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liquid tumors or those who are not eligible for immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy against solid tumors, which are often resistant to current treatments. By delivering dual cytokines through CAR T cells, the study aims to activate the body's own immune cells, such as T cells and natural killer cells, to mount a stronger anti-tumor response. The approach seeks to overcome the challenges posed by the tumor microenvironment that typically suppresses immune activity. The research will involve testing this method in various mouse models of cancer to evaluate its effectiveness across different solid tumor types.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with solid tumors, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using similar approaches to enhance anti-tumor immunity, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Dartmouth College
Hanover, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Yina Hsing — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Huang, Yina Hsing
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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.