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
US20230265205A1
Pending European patent application No. 21856501.8
Pending European patent application No. 21856501.8
Pending Canadian patent application No. 3,188,526