Research scientists at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center are giving hope to patients diagnosed with solid tumor cancers. Their recent study has shown that certain immunotherapies, specifically CAR-natural killer T cells (CAR-NKT), produced “significant” anti-tumor activity in preclinical models of solid tumors.
Unlike traditional CAR T-cell therapies, which have shown success in treating blood cancers but have little success in solid tumor treatment, CAR-NKT cells possess an “innate-like” ability to fight solid tumors.
Gianpietro Dotti, corresponding author of the UNC study said, “CAR-T cells are very potent cells. However, the most surprising finding in our work is that these potent cells are strongly inhibited in tumor models that recapitulate the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. In particular, tumor-associated macrophages seem to have a potent inhibitory effect on CAR-T cells.
“CAR-NKT seem capable (of avoiding) the inhibitory effects of macrophages since they can directly target them…
“However, the manufacturing of CAR-NKT for clinical use is more complex than the manufacturing of CAR-T cells,” he said.[1]
Speaking on the UNC study, Peter Choo, Chairman of CytoMed Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GDTC) said, “We agree with much of the assessments of the UNC data. Our own research on CAR-NKT has shown that these cells do, in fact, seem to be a potentially effective path to treating solid tumors.
“It is why we, CytoMed Therapeutics, have begun the development of our own solid tumor immunotherapy using iPSC-γδ NKT Cells to exploit the multiple antigen recognition systems of natural killer (NK) cells and γδ T cells, to be used to recognize and treat a broad range of cancers.
“In fact, you can see a video of our iPSC-γδ NKT Cells in action against colon cancer, a solid tumor cancer, on our website, www.cytomed.sg.
“Furthermore, we’ve just obtained approval for our fist in-human Phase I clinical trial in Singapore using our patented allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor T cell technology against several blood and solid tumors.
“Our ultimate goal is to produce an off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy that can target a wide range of both blood and solid cancers. And to produce this immunotherapy at a scale and price where these advanced treatments can be available to a far wider range of patients.
Read more about CytoMed’s Phase I clinical trial HERE
Or read more about UNC’s research HERE
[1] Innovative immunotherapy harnesses natural killer T cells to combat solid tumors (news-medical.net)
« New Research Shows Regenerative Medicine Market To Reach $154 Billion by 2033 The Massive Global Market For CAR-T Cell Therapies »