Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell-based immunotherapies have dramatically improved survival in cancer patients. Unfortunately, CAR-T cell therapies are associated with severe neurotoxicity, adverse events during clinical trials, and cytokine storm syndrome among others. Therefore, there is a great need to develop strategies that can keep the benefits of CAR therapies and decrease the side-effects.
Researchers at Arizona State University developed a technology which involves genetically modifying immune cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and T cells to express CARs and improving their metabolic fitness with glycolysis-accelerating metabolites for effective functioning within various tumor microenvironments. This method aims to target and treat various cancers, including solid tumors and lymphomas, with reduced side effects.
Potential Applications
- Cancer therapy including solid tumors and lymphomas
- Targeted therapy for difficult-to-treat malignancies
Benefits and Advantages
- Less expensive, toxic, and time-consuming compared to existing CAR-T cell therapies
- Enhanced metabolic fitness of immune cells in nutrient-poor tumor environments
- Reduced need for extensive cell expansion, streamlining the treatment process
- Maintains cells in active state and avoids immune suppression
- Intravenously injected cells are able to hone to tumors
For more information about this opportunity, please see
Pending Canadian patent application No. 3,188,526
