Using focused ultrasound and CAR T cells to treat pediatric brain tumors
Official title: Focused Ultrasound and CAR T Cells for Pediatric Brain Malignancies
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11114852 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to treat brain tumors in kids, specifically medulloblastoma, by using a combination of focused ultrasound and CAR T cell therapy to help the immune system better attack the tumor while reducing side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $244,839 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA292273-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11114852 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with medulloblastoma or other pediatric brain tumors who have not responded well to conventional treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with brain tumors that are not medulloblastoma or those who have already undergone extensive treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel treatment approach for pediatric brain tumors, specifically medulloblastoma, by combining focused ultrasound with CAR T cell therapy. The goal is to enhance the effectiveness of CAR T cells in targeting and destroying tumor cells while minimizing harmful side effects. The study aims to overcome challenges such as the tumor's suppressive environment and the difficulty of delivering therapies directly to the brain. By using focused ultrasound, researchers hope to improve the delivery and efficacy of these immune cells in treating brain malignancies in children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective treatment options for children with brain tumors, reducing side effects and improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: While adoptive cellular therapies have shown success in treating blood cancers, their application in solid tumors like medulloblastoma is still largely untested, making this research a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sheybani, Natasha Diba — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Sheybani, Natasha Diba
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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.