Project title: Theranostic anti-SSTR2 CAR T-cell Therapy for Neuroendocrine Tumors
Carolin Kitzberger, PhD TUM University Hospital Rechts der Isar
- Status: Active
- Year(s): 2025, 2026, 2027
- Grant Type: Pilot
- Research Type: Translational
- Primary Tumor Site: Multiple
- Area of Inquiry: PET Molecular Imaging, Immunotherapy
What critical neuroendocrine cancer problem/question will researchers try to answer?
The project explores a novel dual-function cellular therapy that merges imaging and treatment capabilities into one powerful platform.
Why is this important?
Treating neuroendocrine tumors presents unique challenges. This project offers the potential for enhanced treatment monitoring to minimize side effects and improve treatment outcomes.
What will the researchers do?
We will engineer chimeric antigen receptor cells (CAR T cells) to recognize and bind to somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2)—a key marker found on many NET cells. This theranostic approach enables both precise molecular imaging to visualize the therapy’s activity and personalized therapeutic intervention to treat the cancer.
How might this improve the treatment of neuroendocrine cancer?
With this project, we aim to visualize and boost the activity of CAR T cells in combination with radioligand therapy for patients with neuroendocrine tumors—offering new hope where treatment options are still limited.
Additional Details
- City: Munich
- Country: Germany
- Grant Duration: 2 years
- Sponsor: ERF and NETRF
DISCLAIMER
NETRF funds laboratory research to understand the development of neuroendocrine tumors and translational research to explore new concepts in treatment. Research grant descriptions and research updates from NETRF are not intended to serve as medical advice. It can take years for research discoveries to be fully validated and approved for patient care. Always consult your health care providers about your treatment options.