Friday, October 4, 2024
Home Oncology & Cancer Stem cells provide T cells a lifeline as cancer champions

Stem cells provide T cells a lifeline as cancer champions

by Medical Xpress
0 comment


Experimental workflow of MitoT to native and CAR engineered T cells. Credit: Journal of Translational Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05627-4

In a pioneering study that bridges the gap between science fiction and reality, researchers have unveiled an innovative method to enhance T and CAR-T cells—our body’s natural and engineered defenders against cancer—by providing them with a mitochondrial supercharge.

CAR-T cells are engineered that are modified to express receptors that specifically target and attack cells. This therapy involves extracting a patient’s T cells, enhancing them, and reintroducing them to improve cancer fighting capabilities.

A team led by Dr. Maroun Khoury at the IMPACT Center of excellence from the University of Los Andes, in Santiago, Chile, has found that transferring mitochondria—the cell’s energy-producing organelles—from to T cells can significantly boost their survival rates and cancer-fighting capabilities.

This work was done in collaboration with Dr. Martín Bonamino’s team from the National Cancer Institute (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“It’s like transforming a standard sedan into a race car,” says Dr. Khoury. “These ‘Mito-CAR-T’ cells not only gain enhanced survival; they are equipped for peak performance, enabling them to execute a more efficient assault on cancer cells.”

Published in the Journal of Translational Medicine, the study highlights how this innovative mitochondrial transfer technique can enhance both natural and engineered CAR-T cells, paving the way for advancements in cancer immunotherapy.

“We’re essentially teaching old cells new tricks,” explain the authors. “By amplifying their , we’re giving these T cells a better chance to outlast and outperform their cancer opponents.”

This breakthrough addresses a major limitation of CAR-T therapy—the short lifespan of modified T cells in patients. Manipulation during manufacturing can inflict cell exhaustion, reducing their effectiveness. However, with improved from mitochondrial enhancements, these modified immune cells could lead to longer-lasting and more effective cancer treatments.

The potential applications of this research extend beyond oncology. Dr. Khoury notes, “This technique could also be transformative for other conditions where bolstering immune cell function is vital, potentially opening new treatment avenues for autoimmune diseases and infections.”

It’s quite a remarkable coincidence that the Chilean-Brazilian paper on mitochondrial transfer in T cells was accepted on the same day, August 14, as another significant study from Europe and the U.S..

This research, titled “Intercellular Nanotube-Mediated Mitochondrial Transfer Enhances T Cell Metabolic Fitness and Antitumor Efficacy,” published in Cell, explores similar themes but offers a more comprehensive approach.

The authors show that the transfer of mitochondria through nanotubes from stromal cells to T cells enhances cellular metabolism, enabling engineered T cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to combat exhaustion and improve their effectiveness against tumors.

Both studies highlight the innovative potential of mitochondrial transfer to boost T cell performance, underscoring a growing interest in this area of research.

More information:
Angela C. Court et al, Survival advantage of native and engineered T cells is acquired by mitochondrial transfer from mesenchymal stem cells, Journal of Translational Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05627-4

Jeremy G. Baldwin et al, Intercellular nanotube-mediated mitochondrial transfer enhances T cell metabolic fitness and antitumor efficacy, Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.08.029

Provided by
University of Los Andes

Citation:
Cellular power-up: Stem cells provide T cells a lifeline as cancer champions (2024, October 1)
retrieved 1 October 2024
from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-10-cellular-power-stem-cells-lifeline.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.





Source link

You may also like

Leave a Comment

Edtior's Picks

Latest Articles

All Rights reserved, site designed by Yellohost.co.za