CAR-T cells have revolutionized how we approach treating cancers. However, they only work in a small number of patients. The environment created by the tumor presents a significant metabolic barrier for CAR-T cells to penetrate, survive, and function. Our research uses CRISPR-Cas9-based genome-editing technology to enhance the antitumor properties of CAR-T cells. A number of candidate metabolic genes are currently being tested (from Project #1). We expect to uncover further pathways that promote CAR-T cell efficacy in our metabolite profiling studies. This engineering approach will create designer CAR-T cells for testing in human clinical trials. We have also filed patent applications for our technology and top candidate from this project with the goal of commercialization. 

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