Using modified immune cells to improve treatment for kidney cancer
Official title: Targeted delivery of a VEGF‐blocking scFv by CD70 CAR‐T cells to enhance anti‐tumor activity in renal cell carcinoma
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10863049 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to make CAR-T cell therapy work better for people with kidney cancer by changing the CAR-T cells to stop a protein that can get in their way, which could help the treatment fight the cancer more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $297,728 |
| NIH project number | 1K08CA289948-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10863049 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma who have not responded well to standard treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who are not diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapy for patients with renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer. The approach involves modifying CAR-T cells to block a protein called VEGF that can hinder their function and promote tumor growth. By preventing this blockage, the modified CAR-T cells may be able to work more effectively against the cancer. The study aims to understand how these changes can improve the immune response and reduce tumor proliferation in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for kidney cancer, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using modified CAR-T cells for solid tumors, but this specific approach targeting VEGF in renal cell carcinoma is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leick, Mark — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Leick, Mark
Related research
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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.