Anti-tumor T cells made more powerful
Local researchers say they have found a way to make tumor-fighting T cells more powerful.
T cells, a type of white blood cell, act as natural guards in the body because receptors on their surface can recognize tumor antigens and trigger an immune response.
As not all T cell receptors work on tumor antigens, scientists genetically engineered T cells, equipping them with artificial receptors called chimeric antigen receptors, to allow them to accurately find and kill tumor cells.
This has evolved to a cutting-edge CAR-T therapy to treat cancer patients, offering a promising alternative to chemotherapy and radiation. However, the genetically engineered T cells don’t exist long in the body, and patients may have a relapse.
Biologist Xu Chenqi has been dedicated to research on regulating the function of T cells. He found that CD3e molecules on TCRs play a key role in the signaling machinery containing both activating and inhibitory functions.
By adding CD3e into genetically engineered T cells, their ability to multiply and extend their existence to fight tumor cells can be boosted while reducing cytokine toxicity, Xu and his team from the Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences said.
In tests on mice, the fine-tuned genetically engineered T cells became more powerful than earlier versions. Xu said they hope to launch clinical trials as soon as possible.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
- RSS
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证:沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证:31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证:0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证:沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证:沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.