Using modified T-cells to improve cancer treatment
Official title: TNF-alpha-"armed" TCR vectors to enhance adoptive cell therapy for solid tumors
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11129549 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to make cancer treatments work better by helping special immune cells called T-cells fight tumors more effectively, which could give patients a more targeted and powerful option for their specific type of cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | March 11, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $647,632 |
| NIH project number | 1R37CA289813-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129549 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with solid tumors who have not responded well to conventional T-cell therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with blood cancers or those who are not eligible for T-cell therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new approach to cancer immunotherapy by enhancing T-cells with a special vector that increases their ability to secrete tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). The goal is to improve the effectiveness of T-cell therapies for solid tumors, which often have limited success. By combining TNF-alpha with tumor-specific T-cell receptors or chimeric antigen receptors, the researchers aim to boost the anti-tumor response while minimizing side effects. Patients may benefit from a more effective treatment option that targets their specific cancer type.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments that improve patient outcomes and survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar approaches in enhancing T-cell therapies, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nowicki, Theodore Scott — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Nowicki, Theodore Scott
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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.