This $561,030 Project Grant awarded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (CFDA 93.837 Cardiovascular Diseases Research) supports research to enhance the efficacy of virus-specific T cell therapy for treating viral infections in immunocompromised patients. The study aims to evaluate the impact of CD52 knockout on the function, persistence, and safety of multivirus-specific T cells when used in the presence of immunosuppressant therapies like alemtuzumab. Key research activities include optimizing CRISPR/Cas9 editing of rapidly-expanded multiviral T cells, characterizing the phenotype and function of CD52-knockout versus mock-edited T cells, and assessing the persistence and anti-tumor efficacy of the edited T cells in mouse models. The ultimate goal is to develop an enhanced antiviral cellular therapy that can reduce virus-associated morbidity in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.
Generated 3/4/25, 8:16 AM