Scientists at the University of Southern California have created unique immune cells that can attack cancer tumors for days. They report their results in the journal Cell.
The method is based on CAR-T therapy, in which T-lymphocytes are taken from a patient, modified, and returned, giving them an enhanced ability to find and destroy cancer cells, Planet Today wrote. However, standard modified T-cells are active for only 24 hours, after which they lose their effectiveness.
To solve this problem, scientists have developed a new way to activate immune cells inside the body. Once they enter the affected area, they are activated using ultrasound pulses. Just 10 minutes of exposure is enough to keep T-lymphocytes active for at least five days. This approach allows for a significant increase in the duration of tumor attack without the need for repeated cell administration.
The new cells, called EchoBack-CAR, are not only more active, but also safer. They destroy only tumor cells, and after leaving the affected area, they lose their aggressive properties, which reduces the risk of damage to healthy tissue.
The cells are able to respond to tumor signals by releasing additional molecules to kill cancer cells, said lead author of the study, Longwei Liu, an associate professor in the Viterbi School of Engineering. This mechanism makes therapy more precise and controllable, opening up new possibilities for fighting cancer.
