Car-T Cell Therapy to Treat Bladder Cancer

Developing an innovative strategy to treat bladder cancer and prevent recurrence and metastasis in Wisconsin

Full Project Name:BCG Boosted CAR-T Cell Therapy to Treat Bladder CancerPrincipal Investigator:Weiguo Cui, PhD, Microbiology and ImmunologyCo-Investigator:William See, MD, Urology; Bryon Johnson, PhD, MedicineAward Amount:$250,000

Award Date

July2020

Project Duration:13 months

Project Description Narrative:

Bladder cancer is not only one of the most common cancers in Wisconsin, it is also difficult to treat and has high rates of recurrence. While recent advances around adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of tumor reactive T cells has been identified as showing remarkable clinical success in treating hematologic malignancies, treating solid tumors such as bladder cancer with this technique has remained a challenge.

Through this award, project investigators will aim to use an innovative strategy to generate robust T cell responses in the bladder and successfully eradicate primary bladder cancer while providing long-term protection from recurrence and metastasis.

Outcomes & Lessons Learned:

Established the proof-of-principle of ReACT (ReEnergized Adoptive Cell Transfer) technology through establishing immune mice that have eradicated the primary cancer through use of the technology
Generated several CAR-T cells to be tested to treat bladder cancer treatments in combination with BCG, the most common immunotherapy for treating early-stage bladder cancer
Findings from the study have potential to move to clinical trials to treat bladder cancer patients in the future
Leveraged additional funding for their work from the Bladder Cancer Advocacy network leading to an earlier end date for the AHW-funded project