Breakthrough: CAR T-Cell Therapy May Be Developed Directly in Cancer Patients

Swift Summary

• CAR T-cell therapy genetically engineers a patient’s immune cells to target and kill cancerous B-cells.
• The process is complex, involving the extraction, modification, multiplication, and re-infusion of T-cells-a time-intensive and expensive procedure that can cost over $500,000 per patient.
• Scientists have now developed a streamlined approach using RNA-loaded fatty capsules introduced directly in the body. These capsules temporarily program T-cells to recognize B-cells for up to a week before degrading.
• In trials with mice and monkeys:

– mice treated with the highest dose of these capsules showed no detectable tumor cells after three weeks without side effects.
– Healthy monkeys receiving the treatment cleared all B-cells in one day; though, one monkey experienced severe inflammation as a side effect.

• While promising for reducing costs and accessibility challenges, this temporary CAR T-cell production method requires repeated treatments if cancer relapses due to its short-term effectiveness.
• The team has begun testing this approach in healthy humans.

!campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utmsource=NSNS&utmmedium=RSS&utm_content=home”>Read More