Researchers have developed a new gene editing platform that will enable safer and more effective T cell-based immunotherapies to treat cancer.
Dr Jesse Armitage, from The University of Western Australia's Medical School and The Kids Research Institute Australia, collaborated with researchers from The University of Melbourne and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre on the study, published in Nature.
T cell-based immunotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that utilises the patient's own T cells, a type of white blood cell, to fight cancer. It involves modifying or boosting these cells to enhance their ability to recognise and destroy cancer cells.
"T cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of solid tumours remain largely ineffective in clinical settings," Dr Armitage said.
A strategy to improve the effectiveness of T cell-based immunotherapy involved the use of 'armoured' T cells, which were genetically enhanced to produce compounds that boosted anti-cancer immune responses.
However, unchecked control of the production of these compounds results in toxicity, hampering the clinical use of the treatment.
To overcome this, researchers have developed a new gene editing platform that ensures the compounds are produced only where they are needed – at the tumour site.
"We can rewire the immune cells to only produce these compounds once inside the tumour, minimising side-effects in other parts of the body," Dr Armitage said.
"This is a significant breakthrough that will pave the way for the development of new T cell-based immunotherapies against solid tumours such as sarcomas, carcinomas and lymphomas.
"Our approach brings the field closer to delivering more effective and safer treatments — ultimately improving outcomes and quality of care for people living with cancer."
