Researchers at the ⁤Korea advanced Institute of Science⁤ and ⁢Technology ⁤(KAIST) have developed a new immunotherapy approach that directly converts immune cells within tumors – specifically macrophages – into effective anticancer therapies. this breakthrough addresses a key challenge in cancer treatment: the suppression of immune cells by the tumor microenvironment.

Tumors often contain macrophages, immune cells with the potential to fight cancer. However, these cells are frequently suppressed by the tumor, hindering ⁢their ability to function⁣ effectively. The KAIST team, led by Professor Ji-Ho Park of the Department of Biotechnology and Brain Engineering, has devised a ⁤method to overcome this limitation.

The therapy involves injecting a drug directly into the ⁢tumor. This drug is then absorbed by the macrophages already present within the ⁣tumor. Once inside the⁢ macrophages, the drug triggers the production of CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) proteins. These CAR proteins enable the macrophages to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

CAR-Macrophage Therapy: A Novel⁢ Approach

CAR-T cell therapy, a well-established immunotherapy, involves genetically engineering a patient’s T cells to express CAR proteins. Though, CAR-T cell therapy can be associated with⁣ significant side effects. The KAIST approach offers a potential advantage by utilizing macrophages, which⁢ are naturally present⁤ in the tumor microenvironment and generally considered less toxic than T cells.

“Our research demonstrates the feasibility of converting existing immune cells within ⁤the tumor into potent ‍anticancer agents,” explained Jun-Hee ‍Han, Ph.D., the frist author of the ⁤study and ⁣a researcher in the Department of Biotechnology and Brain Engineering at KAIST. “This approach could potentially minimize the ‍side effects associated with⁣ customary CAR-T cell therapy.”

The research‍ team focused on enhancing both the ⁤ delivery efficiency and overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor environment to maximize the therapeutic effect. The direct‍ injection method ensures a high⁢ concentration of the drug reaches the target macrophages,while the reprogramming process ⁢circumvents the tumor’s suppression mechanisms.

Publication Details ⁣and⁣ Funding

The findings⁢ were published on November 18, 2023, in ACS Nano,⁢ a leading international journal in the field of nanotechnology. The⁣ research ⁢article is titled and ⁤details the methodology and results of the ⁢study.

This research was supported by the Mid-Career Research Programme of the national Research Foundation of Korea. The project underscores the importance of continued investment in basic research to ‍drive innovation in cancer treatment.