CD5 knockout using CRISPR boosts CAR T cell therapy efficacy
CAR T cells are T cells designed to attack specific targets on cancer cells. They have produced remarkable results in certain patients with blood cancers. However, they have not worked well against other cancers, particularly solid tumor cancers such as pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and melanoma. The researchers looked for techniques to increase the effectiveness […]
Prime Editing Corrects Cystic Fibrosis Mutation
Researchers have refined the primary editing (PE) method for correcting the F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a significant cause of cystic fibrosis. They combined several efficiency improvements, including engineered PE guide RNAs and PEmax architecture. They achieved high correction efficiency in immortalized bronchial epithelial cells and substantial correction in patient-derived […]
Innovative CAR T cell therapy shows promise for relapsed CIDP patients
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare disease with sudden onset symptoms, including nerve damage affecting movement, sensation, speech, breathing, and heart rhythm. Treatments such as glucocorticoids, plasmapheresis, and intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG) can help manage symptoms but cannot completely eradicate the disease. However, a research team has reported using BCMA-CD19 bispecific CAR-T cells […]
Miniaturized CRISPR protein opens door for gene therapy with adeno-associated virus
The commonly used adeno-associated virus is small, and although some Cas9 proteins can enter it, Cas12a proteins are generally too large. However, researchers have identified a relatively small version of Cas12a, called EbCas12a, which occurs naturally in a species of the bacterial class Erysipelotrichia. They increased the gene-editing efficiency by deliberately replacing one of the […]
NK cells’ role in cancer therapy resistance unveiled
Activated T cells in patients with autoimmune diseases, cancer or viral infections expose large amounts of B7H6 on their surface. Co-culture experiments in the culture dish have shown that Natural Killer (NK) cells recognize activated T cells by their B7H6 expression. In contrast, T cells whose B7H6 gene was knocked out with CRISPR-Cas were protected […]
‘Smart’ antibiotic can kill deadly bacteria while sparing the microbiome – Nature
Compound called lolamicin targets a group of harmful microbes but does not disturb those that live peacefully in the gut.
FDA approves earlier use of Carvykti CAR-T for multiple myeloma
The FDA has approved ciltacabtagene autoleucel for earlier use in certain adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Ciltacabtagene autoleucel (Carvykti; Janssen, Legend Biotech), also known as cilta-cel, is a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed CAR T cell therapy previously approved for use in adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after four lines of treatment. […]
Cancer Cells Deliver CRISPR to Fight Cancer
In a study, researchers have developed a novel CRISPR-Cas9 delivery system using cryo-choked lung tumor cells to target Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), particularly those with KRAS mutations. The technique involves using lung tumor cells treated by rapid shock with liquid nitrogen, effectively inactivating their pathogenicity while preserving their structure and surface receptors. These cryo-choked […]
Novel CAR T-Cell Therapy Displays Activity in Glioblastoma
CARv3-TEAM-E T cells are CAR T cells targeting EGFR variant III tumor-specific antigen (EGFRvIII) in addition to wild-type EGFR. According to the results of the phase 1 INCIPIENT trial (NCT05660369) published in the New England Journal of Medicine, preliminary results in humans demonstrated that all 3 glioblastoma patients treated with CARv3-TEAM-E T cells between March […]
Concomitant pharmacotherapy overcomes immunotherapy challenges in aggressive blood cancer
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive form of blood cancer. It is caused by mutations in a large number of genes acquired during a person’s lifetime. One of these genes, the tumor suppressor gene TP53, plays a key role. Normally, TP53 helps prevent the development of tumors. However, blood cancer patients with this mutated […]
