Using engineered macrophages to treat glioblastoma
Official title: Engineering mRNA encapsulated extracellular vesicles for in vivo chimeric antigen receptor macrophage therapy for glioblastoma
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-10938232 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment for glioblastoma, a tough brain cancer, by using specially modified immune cells to help them better target and attack the tumor, offering hope for those who haven't had success with standard therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 5, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $645,873 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA291876-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10938232 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with glioblastoma who have not responded well to existing treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who are not diagnosed with glioblastoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new therapy for glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain cancer that is resistant to traditional treatments. The approach involves engineering macrophages, a type of immune cell, to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that can target and attack tumor cells. By modifying these macrophages outside the body and then reintroducing them, the goal is to enhance their ability to fight the cancer effectively. This innovative method aims to overcome the challenges faced by conventional CAR T-cell therapies in treating glioblastoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel and effective treatment option for patients with glioblastoma, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While CAR T-cell therapies have shown success in hematologic cancers, this approach using CAR macrophages for glioblastoma is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jiang, Wen — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Jiang, Wen
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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.