Award
National Cancer Institute 5P50CA126752-19
Project 2: CAR-T cell therapy for T cell lymphoma
Recipient
Baylor College of Medicine
Award Amount
$1,269,725.00
Ceiling
$1,269,725.00
Awarded
September 18, 2025
Identifier
5P50CA126752-19
This award funds a project to enhance CAR-T cell therapy for refractory or relapsed T-cell lymphoma by overcoming challenges in cell potency, fitness, and manufacturing, aiming to develop safe and effective treatments.
Description
The project aims to improve adoptive cell therapy with engineered CD5-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells in patients with refractory or relapsed T-cell lymphoma (r/r TCL). Building on promising Phase I clinical trial results, the study will address barriers such as loss of potency of CAR T-cells, low T-cell fitness, and lengthy manufacturing processes. Strategies include using pharmacologic inhibitors to inhibit tonic CAR signaling, developing off-the-shelf CAR T-cells, and engineering these cells to eliminate alloreactivity and resist immune rejection. The goal is to provide a safe and effective cell therapy for patients with limited options.