Grant: Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives
University Health Network
$328,966.00
Evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of intratumoural administration of an anti-EGFR CAR-T therapy in pre-clinical models of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
FY 2025-26 · 2025-05-01
Summary
Patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) who are not eligible for or have failed to respond to anti-PD1 immunotherapy have few treatment options. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) directed chimeric antigen receptor -T cell (CAR-T) therapy is a promising strategy; however, off-target toxicity remains a major obstacle due to expression in healthy tissues. To address this concern, the use of intratumoural (IT) administration of NRC’s novel nanobody-based EGFR CAR-T will be evaluated in the pre-clinical model of cSCC. The aims of the study will be to determine the dosage required for tumour control and evaluate the trafficking and functional T-cell phenotypes in IT administration. It is expected that IT administration will lead to substantially fewer CAR-T cells in all biological compartments than traditional intravenous (IV) administration, and that direct injection of cells will result in different T-cell populations within the tumour.
Department
Program
Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives
Recipient
Location
Toronto|Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Other
Business Number
119259505
Type
Grant
Source
Proactive Disclosure - Grants and Contributions
Amendments
Each version of the agreement as published, oldest first, with its total as of that version. The amount above is the latest.
| Amendment | Date | Fiscal Year | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2025-05-01 | 2025-26 | $258,346.00 |
| 1 | 2025-05-01 | 2025-26 | $328,966.00 |
As published
Additional Information
This agreement has been amended 1 time(s). The total amended value is $328,966.
Additional Information (French)
Cet accord a été modifié 1 fois. La valeur totale des modifications est de $328,966. dollars.
Agreement End Date
2026-03-30
Agreement Number
1029941
Agreement Start Date
2025-05-01
Agreement Title
Evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of intratumoural administration of an anti-EGFR CAR-T therapy in pre-clinical models of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Agreement Title (French)
Évaluation de l’efficacité et de la toxicité de l’administration intratumorale d’un traitement anti-EGFR CAR-T dans des modèles précliniques de carcinome squameux cutané
Agreement Type
Grant
Agreement Value
$328,966.00
Amendment Date
2026-01-30
Amendment Number
1
Description
Patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) who are not eligible for or have failed to respond to anti-PD1 immunotherapy have few treatment options. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) directed chimeric antigen receptor -T cell (CAR-T) therapy is a promising strategy; however, off-target toxicity remains a major obstacle due to expression in healthy tissues. To address this concern, the use of intratumoural (IT) administration of NRC’s novel nanobody-based EGFR CAR-T will be evaluated in the pre-clinical model of cSCC. The aims of the study will be to determine the dosage required for tumour control and evaluate the trafficking and functional T-cell phenotypes in IT administration. It is expected that IT administration will lead to substantially fewer CAR-T cells in all biological compartments than traditional intravenous (IV) administration, and that direct injection of cells will result in different T-cell populations within the tumour.
Description (French)
Les patients atteints d’un carcinome squameux cutané avancé (cSCC) qui ne sont pas admissibles à l’immunothérapie anti-PD1 ou qui n’y ont pas répondu disposent de peu d’options thérapeutiques. La thérapie par récepteurs antigéniques chimériques, dirigés contre le récepteur du facteur de croissance épidermique (EGFR)-T (CAR-T), représente une stratégie prometteuse, mais la toxicité hors cible reste un obstacle majeur en raison de l’expression de l’EGFR dans les tissus sains. Pour surmonter ce défi, l’administration intratumorale (IT) du nouveau CAR-T à base de nanocorps développé par le CNRC sera évaluée dans un modèle préclinique de cSCC. L’étude visera à déterminer la dose optimale pour contrôler la tumeur et à analyser le trafic et les phénotypes fonctionnels des lymphocytes T lors de l’administration IT. On s’attend à ce que l’administration IT réduise considérablement le nombre de cellules CAR-T dans l’ensemble des compartiments biologiques par rapport à l’administration intraveineuse (IV) traditionnelle, et que l’injection directe de cellules entraîne la formation de populations de lymphocytes T distinctes au sein de la tumeur.
Expected Results
In the short term, anticipated outcomes will be strengthened collaborations across industry, academia, and government to support research excellence. In the medium term, anticipated outcomes will be the development of new and potentially disruptive technologies with collaborators. In the long term, find collaborative solutions to public policy challenges and create stronger innovation systems.
Expected Results (French)
À court terme, les résultats prévus seront des collaborations renforcées entre l'industrie, le milieu universitaire et le gouvernement pour soutenir l'excellence en recherche. À moyen terme, les résultats attendus seront le développement de nouvelles technologies potentiellement perturbatrices avec des collaborateurs. À long terme, trouver des solutions collaboratives aux défis des politiques publiques et créer des systèmes d'innovation plus solides.
Federal Riding
University--Rosedale
Federal Riding (French)
University--Rosedale
Federal Riding Number
35112
NAICS Code
541710 - R&D in the physical, engineering and life sciences
Organization Code
nrc-cnrc
Organization
National Research Council Canada | Conseil national de recherches Canada
Program Name
Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives
Program Name (French)
Programme de collaboration en science, en technologie et en innovation - Initiatives de collaboration en R-D
Program Purpose
Collaborate on multiparty research and development programs to catalyze transformative, high-risk, high-reward research with the potential for game-changing scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs in priority areas.
Program Purpose (French)
Collaborer à des programmes multipartites de recherche-développement dans le but de profiter de la synergie entre la recherche transformatrice à haut risque et à haut rendement et le potentiel de découvertes scientifiques et de percées technologiques révolutionnaires dans des secteurs d’intervention prioritaires.
Recipient Business Number
119259505
Recipient City
Toronto|Toronto
Recipient Country
CA
Recipient Legal Name
University Health Network
Recipient Postal Code
M5G 2C4
Recipient Province or Territory
ON
Recipient Type
N
Reference Number
172-2025-2026-Q1-1029941