New type of genetically-engineered T-cell may destroy solid cancer tumors

Cancer cells are notorious for evading detection by the body’s immune system, making them difficult to treat. But a promising new type of genetically engineered T-cell that can effectively destroy solid cancer tumors may be just what the doctor ordered.

Now, researchers from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center in Australia have tested the effectiveness of a new kind of CAR T-cell in treating solid tumors.

“While CAR T-cell therapy has been approved in some types of blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, the success of CAR T-cells in solid cancers is limited,” said Paul Neeson, a corresponding author of the study. “This is due to factors including poor CAR T-cell expansion, persistence and exhaustion when fighting the tumor.”

Researchers used a younger T-cell, more akin to a stem cell, as an alternative. Called T stem-like CAR T-cells, these cells have an increased ability to reproduce when carrying the CAR receptor and persist in the body for a long time. Testing with the new cells yielded promising results.

“Importantly, these T stem-like CAR T-cells have improved anti-tumor function in the culture dish and in four pre-clinical models. In fact, they completely eradicated pre-existing solid tumors when combined with the immune checkpoint drug, anti-PD-1,” Neeson said.

Image source: Maja Divjak/Peter MacCallum Cancer Center.