Using personalized T cell therapy to treat brain tumors in children

Addressing tumor heterogeneity in pediatric gliomas with precision adoptive T cell therapy

NIH-funded research University of Florida · NIH-10945623

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Florida NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Gainesville, United States)
Project IDNIH-10945623 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years diagnosed with high-grade gliomas or other invasive brain tumors.

Not a fit: Patients with non-cancerous brain conditions or those whose tumors do not express the targeted antigens may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Gainesville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Brain Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.