Issue 209
Previous research has shown us that CAR-T therapy doesn’t always work on breast tumors for two key reasons: i) the tumor microenvironment suppresses the immune response, and ii) it can be challenging to find specific features on the breast cancer cells to target.
Recent research – funded by Breast Cancer Now – has resulted in a new type of CAR-T therapy that targets non-cancer cells and could help prevent the growth and spread of breast cancer tumors.
The study, published in The Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, found that targeting the endosialin receptor on tumor-associated pericytes and perivascular cancer-associated fibroblasts disrupts the tumor’s blood supply and hinders its progression. In other words, this treatment doesn’t target cancer cells directly; it attacks the cells that support the disease.
The researchers also found that the CAR-T therapy didn’t affect cells without endosialin, indicating that it could work as a cancer-specific treatment with fewer side effects. They are now developing this treatment so that it can be tested in clinical trials.
What promising new cell and gene therapeutic avenues have you come across lately? Let me know: [email protected]
Until next week,
Jamie Irvine | Associate Editor
Essential Reading
The Youthful Benefits of CAR-T
The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has received a $6 million award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to advance CAR-T cell therapies for recurring solid tumors found in children and adolescents. “This therapy offers an alternative to our young patients whose tumors have returned and who currently lack good therapeutic options,” says Shahab Asgharzadeh, Director, Neuroblastoma Basic and Translational Program, Division of Hematology-Oncology at The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and lead researcher on the CIRM grant. “We are taking an already transformational approach used for blood cancers and modifying it for use in difficult-to-treat solid cancers.”
AAV Optimization
Andelyn Biosciences has been selected to manufacture AAV therapies in its suspension platform for several programs under the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) with the Bespoke Gene Therapy Consortium. The consortium has chosen to focus on eight rare disease programs, with Andelyn selected to optimize and scale the AAV therapy processes for the treatments of CNGB1 retinitis pigmentosa 45 and NPHP5 retinal degeneration.
Worth Your Time...
Research
US and Iran-based researchers explore application of CAR T-cells in treating multiple myeloma – shedding light on their potential, limitations, and strategies to enhance their efficacy.
Scientists use AAV transduction in human teratoma-derived primary cells and liver cancer tissue to display the versatility of the humanized mouse model.
Study develops SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles vaccine based on the Canarypox-virus vector using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing.
Business
Miltenyi Biotec launches cell and gene center of excellence in India to provide scientists, researchers, industry experts, and clinicians with hands-on training approaches.
TrakCel set to expand OCELLOS – a commercial cell and gene therapy integrated network – to provide more options for the complex management required to manufacture CGTs.
Braintree Manufacturing Innovation Centre receives UK MHRA license to accelerate large-scale manufacturing of their advanced therapy medicinal products.
Bio-Rad Laboratories launch Vericheck ddPCR Replication Competent Lentivirus and Replication Competent AAV Kits to support the safe and effective production of advanced therapies.
