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Remote-Controlled Signal Activates T Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy

April 23rd, 2018 Conn Hastings Nanomedicine, Oncology

Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a technique to remotely activate genetically-modified T cells to attack cancer. The method employs a near-infrared laser that heats gold nanorods present in the tumor, causing local heating. This heat activates the T cells, making them more aggressive in killing cancer cells.

Immunotherapies, such as T cell therapy, hold significant promise in treating cancer. However, the technique is still very new, and isn’t always effective. “Right now, we’re adept at harvesting a patient’s own T-cells, modifying to target cancer, growing them outside the body until there are hundreds of millions of them,” said Gabe Kwong, a researcher involved in the study. “But as soon as we inject them back into a patient, we lose control over the T-cells’ activity inside the body.”

Some tumors can deactivate T cells, meaning they lose their effectiveness. Numerous research groups are working on improving T cell therapies. The Georgia Tech researchers have developed an on/off switch for T cells, so that they can be activated within the tumor, and then deactivated later, so that they don’t damage healthy tissue elsewhere.

The research team introduced a heat-sensitive genetic “switch” into T cells, which increases the expression of specific proteins when activated by heat, enhancing their cancer-fighting abilities. Using a near-infrared laser from outside the body, the researchers can gently heat gold nanoparticles in the tumor tissues, turning the genetic switch “on”. The effect requires heating of only a few degrees Celsius above body temperature.

However, once the researchers remove the localized heating and the tumor cools down, the T cells return to a non-active state, helping to ensure that they won’t damage healthy tissues elsewhere. “There would be off-target toxicities, so you really want to pinpoint their activation,” said Kwong. “Our long-term goal for them is to activate site-specifically, so T-cells can overcome immunosuppression by the tumor and become better killers there.”

The team tested the approach in tumor-bearing mice, and confirmed that the components of the system worked. “In upcoming experiments, we are implementing this approach to treat aggressive tumors and establish cancer-fighting effectiveness,” said Kwong.

Study in ACS Synthetic Biology: Remote Control of Mammalian Cells with Heat-Triggered Gene Switches and Photothermal Pulse Trains…

Via: Georgia Tech…

Conn Hastings

Conn Hastings received a PhD from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland for his work in drug delivery, investigating the potential of injectable hydrogels to deliver cells, drugs and nanoparticles in the treatment of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. After achieving his PhD and completing a year of postdoctoral research, Conn pursued a career in academic publishing, before becoming a full-time science writer and editor, combining his experience within the biomedical sciences with his passion for written communication.

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