Using tumor-targeting viruses to boost CAR T cell treatment for solid tumors
Re-purposing Oncolytic Virotherapy to Re-invigorate CAR T Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors.
This work aims to help CAR T cell therapy work better for people with solid tumors by combining CAR T cells with cancer-killing viruses that ramp up the immune response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237992 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers take CAR T cells and load them with oncolytic (cancer-targeting) viruses outside the body, then deliver them systemically to create a more inflammatory tumor environment and improve CAR T trafficking and function. In mouse models this produced dual-specific, memory-like CAR T cells that persisted longer and had stronger anti-tumor activity than CAR T or virus alone. The project will refine how the virus is paired with CAR T cells, optimize dosing and delivery, and work toward approaches that could be translated into human trials. The goal is a safe regimen that makes CAR T therapy more effective for a wider range of solid tumors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with solid cancers who are eligible for CAR T–based clinical trials or for experimental combination therapies at a specialized center.
Not a fit: People with blood cancers already well served by existing CAR T products or those with severe immune suppression or contraindications to viral therapies may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make CAR T treatment more effective and longer-lasting for patients with solid tumors that currently respond poorly.
How similar studies have performed: Similar combinations of oncolytic viruses and cellular immunotherapies have shown promising results in animal studies, but human data remain limited.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vile, Richard G. — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Vile, Richard G.
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 below.