Immunotherapy is a promising treatment for cancer, but the process can be time-consuming. However, researchers at UCLA have made progress towards the development of off-the-shelf immunotherapy that can be mass-produced and quickly administered to patients with various types of cancer. Traditionally, immunotherapy involves extracting immune cells from patients, modifying them to be more effective against cancer, and then reintroducing them to the patient. While this treatment has shown promise, it is expensive and time-consuming, which is not ideal in urgent cases. Ideally, immunotherapy should be readily available, mass-produced, and stored in hospitals for immediate use, similar to other drugs. The recent study conducted by UCLA scientists may have found a way to achieve this goal.
The study focused on gamma delta T cells, a type of immune cell that has shown promise in cancer immunotherapy. These cells have the advantage of not needing to be sourced from the same patient and can be obtained from donors without causing immune rejection. However, their effectiveness varies. In this study, the researchers identified a biomarker, CD16, which helps in selecting the most suitable gamma delta T cells from donors. These cells were then genetically engineered with chimera antigen receptors (CAR) and interleukin-15 (IL-15) to enhance their ability to target cancer cells.
According to Lili Yang, the senior author of the study, CD16-high gamma delta T cells possess unique characteristics that improve their ability to recognize and attack tumors. These cells have increased levels of effector molecules and can engage in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against cancer cells. The use of CD16 as a biomarker for donor selection improves the anti-cancer properties of these cells.
The researchers tested their technique on models of ovarian cancer, including human cells in lab dishes and mice. In the animal tests, all five mice that received gamma delta cells with both CAR and IL-15 achieved complete remission throughout the 180-day experiment. In contrast, the control mice, as well as those that received regular CAR T-cell therapy alone, died from cancer or deadly immune responses. For mice that received gamma delta T cells engineered with CAR but without the IL-15 component, two out of five survived the entire experiment, indicating that both components are most effective when used together. Yang emphasizes that these results demonstrate the promising feasibility, therapeutic potential, and safety profile of these engineered CD16-high gamma delta T cells. The researchers hope that this approach can become a viable option for cancer treatment in the future.
This study brings us one step closer to the development of off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy. By utilizing gamma delta T cells from donors and genetically modifying them with CAR and IL-15, researchers were able to enhance their anti-cancer properties. The successful results in mouse models offer hope for the potential effectiveness of this approach in human patients. In the future, off-the-shelf immunotherapy could revolutionize cancer treatment by providing a readily available and mass-produced option for patients in need. Further research and clinical trials are needed to fully validate this approach and ensure its safety and efficacy in humans.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has an expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals.