Using engineered T cells to treat pemphigus vulgaris
Official title: Immunomodulatory effects of desmoglein 3 chimeric autoantibody receptor T cells (DSG3-CAART) in mucosal pemphigus vulgaris
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11013344 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment for pemphigus vulgaris that uses your own modified immune cells to help stop the blisters by targeting the cells that cause the problem, and it's designed for people who are dealing with this painful condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $377,457 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR082675-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013344 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with mucosal-dominant pemphigus vulgaris who have not responded to conventional therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of pemphigus or those who do not have pemphigus vulgaris may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel therapy for pemphigus vulgaris, an autoimmune disease characterized by painful blisters. The approach involves genetically modifying a patient's own T cells to specifically target and eliminate the B cells that produce harmful autoantibodies against desmoglein 3, a protein crucial for skin adhesion. By utilizing chimeric autoantibody receptors (CAARs), the therapy aims to provide a one-time treatment that could potentially cure the disease. The study is currently in its first phase, focusing on assessing the safety and tolerability of this innovative treatment in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a curative treatment for patients suffering from pemphigus vulgaris.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results with similar engineered T cell therapies in treating various cancers, suggesting potential for success in autoimmune conditions as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Payne, Aimee S — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Payne, Aimee S
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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.