SUPERCHARGED “KILLER” CELLS IMPROVE SOLID TUMOR IMMUNOTHERAPY

Vidcast: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdVeXfUBO_Y/ One giant barrier to effective immunotherapy for solid tumors is the inability of killer T cells to penetrate tumors. Enter surgical bioengineers at the Stanford Cancer Institute with new methodology for “supercharging” natural killer cells, NK cells for short, and improving their ability to infiltrate solid tumors and eradicate the cells within. Finding that the strongest killer cells carry a molecular marker, the ectonuclease CD39, the researchers were able isolate these cells and deploy them in the test tube against individual epithelial tumor cells. These CD39 T cells also showed enhanced abilities to penetrate clusters of tumor cells or organoids. These CD39 killer cells performed particularly well when combined with cetuximab, an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibiting antibody already FDA-approved for treatment of certain colorectal and head-and-neck cancers. Use a preclinical mouse model, the combination suppressed tumor growth substantially better than either treatment alone. This research predicts the possibility of an “off-the-shelf” cell therapy. Unlike a number of current immunotherapy treatments that require manufacturing a personalized product for each patient, NK C39 cells could be produced in batches, frozen, and administered as needed for any number of patients. *This therapeutic approach remains highly experimental with impressive results so far only in laboratory studies and in mice. The Stanford investigators are preparing a Phase I clinical trial in people with advanced squamous cell carcinoma, pending regulatory approval. References on my website. #CancerResearch #Immunotherapy #NaturalKillerCells #CancerTreatment #MedicalBreakthrough