Using engineered macrophages to target triple-negative breast cancer
Official title: Rac-enhanced Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Macrophage (Race-CAR-M) Immunotherapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Funded at University of California Santa Barbara · NIH-11118486 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to treat triple-negative breast cancer by using specially modified immune cells called macrophages to better find and destroy cancer cells, which could lead to improved outcomes for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Barbara NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Barbara, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $218,089 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA301146-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11118486 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer who have limited treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other subtypes of breast cancer or those who do not have cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new immunotherapy approach for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by engineering macrophages to express a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) that targets specific cancer cell antigens. The study aims to enhance the ability of these CAR-Macrophages to infiltrate tumors and effectively eliminate cancer cells. By activating a specific protein (Rac2) within these macrophages, the researchers hope to improve their tumor-targeting and phagocytic capabilities, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes for patients with TNBC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel and more effective treatment option for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While CAR-T therapies have shown success in hematologic cancers, the application of CAR-M therapies in solid tumors like TNBC is still being explored and represents a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Montell, Denise J. — University of California Santa Barbara
- Study coordinator: Montell, Denise J.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Rac-enhanced CAR-Macrophages against TNBC
A new cell therapy approach uses engineered macrophages with a CAR and Rac2 activation to target and kill triple-negative breast cancer cells expressing CSPG4.
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Determinants of Response to DNA-Damaging Radiation and Immunotherapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
This grant explores why some people with triple-negative breast cancer respond to a combo of radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy and why others don’t, to guide more personalized treatment.
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New immunotherapy combo for hard-to-treat triple-negative breast cancer
Aims to test a combination immunotherapy with JNK inhibitors to improve treatment for people with triple-negative breast cancer.
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Reprogrammed exosome immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer
A new treatment approach uses engineered exosomes to stimulate the immune system to fight triple-negative breast cancer in patients.
-
Engineered CD4+ T cells targeting KK‑LC‑1 for triple‑negative breast cancer
This project creates engineered CD4+ T cells that recognize the KK‑LC‑1 tumor antigen to help people with HLA‑DR13-positive triple‑negative breast cancer.
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Why some triple-negative breast cancers respond to radiation plus immunotherapy and others resist
This project looks at whether patterns of tumor cell death and immune signals can predict and improve responses to radiation combined with anti-PD1 immunotherapy for people with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer that has spread to lymph nodes.
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.