UCLA Creates Cord Blood T-Cells to Attack Solid Tumors
- Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have engineered T cells from umbilical cord blood stem cells that recognize and attack solid tumors following a single administration.
- Investigators modified stem cells harvested from donated umbilical cord blood to recognize the NY-ESO-1 protein found in numerous solid tumors.
- The cells also feature a secondary recognition radar based on Natural Killer cell receptors.
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have engineered T cells from umbilical cord blood stem cells that recognize and attack solid tumors following a single administration. The preclinical therapy addresses a core limitation in current cellular treatments by bypassing the high costs and lengthy manufacturing times of personalized therapies while avoiding the graft-versus-host disease risks linked to adult donor cells.
Modified Stem Cells Target Solid Tumors
Investigators modified stem cells harvested from donated umbilical cord blood to recognize the NY-ESO-1 protein found in numerous solid tumors. Unlike T cells harvested directly from adult donors, which carry a diverse mix of unpredictable receptors, every resulting AlloESO-T cell inherits the exact same target.
The cells also feature a secondary recognition radar based on Natural Killer cell receptors. This mechanism detects cellular stress signals displayed by cancer cells, allowing AlloESO-T cells to track down and destroy targets even if a tumor suppresses its primary antigen.
Animal Tests Show Tumor Control and Lower Costs
In an ovarian cancer animal model, a single dose produced sustained tumor control and extended survival. Melanoma model tests showed slowed tumor growth and delayed recurrence with a low risk of graft-versus-host disease, a complication that surfaced with mature donor cells.
Small quantities of umbilical cord blood stem cells could generate trillions of therapeutic cells, providing thousands of doses at an estimated cost of about 5,000 dollars per dose. That figure sits substantially below the costs of personalized treatments currently on the market.
Cord Blood Center Perspective
Medical representatives point to changing applications for stored biological samples as research expands beyond traditional hematopoietic uses. Cord Blood Center medical representative Dr. Bogdan Coltor outlined how storing umbilical cord samples affects families.
Studiul de la UCLA confirmă o tendință pe care o urmărim de ceva vreme: sângele ombilical nu mai este privit doar ca o rezervă de celule stem hematopoietice, ci ca punct de plecare pentru terapii celulare complexe, capabile să recunoască tumorile prin mai multe mecanisme simultan. Pentru părinții care aleg să stocheze sângele de cordon ombilical al copilului, această direcție de cercetare înseamnă un acces potențial mai devreme la tratamente care, altfel, ar rămâne greu accesibile ca preț sau ca disponibilitate
dr. Bogdan Coltor
Therapy Remains Strictly Preclinical
Despite the findings published in Cell Reports Medicine, the therapy remains strictly preclinical and has not yet undergone testing in human patients.