Using personalized T cell therapy to treat brain tumors in children
Official title: Addressing tumor heterogeneity in pediatric gliomas with precision adoptive T cell therapy
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-10945623 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help kids with aggressive brain cancer by using their own immune cells to better fight the disease, with the hope of improving their chances of staying healthy longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 12, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $474,656 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA293376-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10945623 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with high-grade gliomas or other invasive brain tumors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous brain conditions or those whose tumors do not express the targeted antigens may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a personalized immunotherapy approach for children with high-grade gliomas, a type of aggressive brain cancer. The team will utilize a novel method that involves creating T cells specifically targeted to the unique antigens present in each patient's tumor. By using patient-specific tumor RNA to stimulate and expand these T cells, the goal is to enhance the immune response against the cancer. This approach aims to improve clinical outcomes and potentially lead to longer disease-free periods for young patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective treatment option for children with aggressive brain tumors, potentially leading to longer survival and improved quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using similar adoptive T cell therapy approaches have shown promising results in treating brain tumors, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mitchell, Duane a. — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Mitchell, Duane a.
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.