Engineered immune cells take aim at Hard-to-Treat brain tumors

NCT ID NCT04214392

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 4 times

Summary

This early-stage trial tests a new type of CAR T-cell therapy designed to target a protein called MMP2 found on glioblastoma cells. The treatment uses a scorpion toxin fragment (chlorotoxin) to help the immune cells find and attack the tumor. Nineteen patients with recurrent or progressive glioblastoma will receive the cells directly into the brain to assess safety and the best dose.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Chlorotoxin-targeted CAR T-cells
What this could lead to
If successful, this could point toward a new treatment option for recurrent glioblastoma, a brain cancer with few effective therapies.
What could go wrong
This is a very early phase 1 trial with only 19 participants, so safety and dosing are still being determined. The treatment may not shrink tumors or improve survival, and there are risks like cytokine release syndrome.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • City of Hope Medical Center

    Duarte, California, 91010, United States

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