Reposted by Gus Moyer (梅子超)
USC scientists discover how to create a never-ending supply of cancer-fighting cells
->ScienceDaily | More on "Cancer immunotherapy cell manufacturing breakthrough" at BigEarthData.ai | #Science
sciencedaily.com
USC scientists discover how to create a never-ending supply of cancer-fighting cells
The breakthrough, described in a study published in Cell, could help overcome some of the biggest obstacles facing cancer immunotherapy, including the difficulty of manufacturing enough immune cells and keeping them active in the body. In experiments involving mice, the engineered cells established themselves in bone marrow, produced new immune cells, and slowed the progression of both blood cancers and solid tumors. The USC Stem Cell-led team focused on a type of immature immune cell called granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (GMPs). These cells normally develop into macrophages and other immune cells that protect the body from infections and participate in immune responses. The researchers found that GMPs could be grown extensively in the laboratory while retaining their ability to develop into functioning immune cells. They could also be genetically modified to recognize specific cancer markers and strengthen broader immune responses. "The study establishes a scalable and engineerable GMP platform for cellular immunotherapy and introduces concepts that we believe could have broad implications for both cancer immunotherapy and stem cell biology," said the paper's corresponding author Qi-Long Ying, MD, PhD, professor of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Scientists Discover a Surprising Ability in Immune...
