CAR T-cell therapy has revolutionized treatment for blood cancers like multiple myeloma by engineering a patient’s own T cells to recognize and destroy cancer. While this approach often yields strong initial responses, many patients relapse, highlighting the need to improve longevity and potency of these therapies. Dr. Yubin Kang is investigating a promising new strategy to strengthen CAR T-cell performance by targeting an enzyme called sphingosine kinase-2 (SK2), which appears to regulate T-cell activity.

Preliminary data from Dr. Kang’s lab shows that blocking SK2 can make T cells more robust. Building on this insight, his team will evaluate whether combining SK2 inhibitors with CAR T-cell therapy can extend the durability of treatment responses. Dr. Kang’s team will also test an optimized CAR T-cell construct in both in vitro cell culture systems and in vivo animal models to assess its effectiveness. If successful, this work could lead to a new generation of CAR T-cell therapies with improved persistence and impact, offering renewed hope to patients with relapsed or treatment-resistant multiple myeloma.

Research Focus

Multiple myeloma, CAR T-cell therapy, combination therapy

Projects and Grants

Targeting sphingosine kinase 2 to enhance CAR T-cell therapy efficacy in multiple myeloma