Scientists from the Sirius University have developed a new medical technology that could change the approach to cancer treatment. The essence of the method is that T-lymphocytes, responsible for protecting the body, are trained to destroy cancer cells directly in the patient's body, without the need to remove cells and work with them in the laboratory.
Current treatment methods, such as CAR-T therapy, require complex manipulations. Cells are extracted from the patient's blood, modified in the laboratory, and then returned back. The process takes a lot of time and requires expensive equipment, which limits its use in clinical practice.
In contrast, the Sirius team is developing a technology that allows T-lymphocytes to be trained directly in the body. Scientists introduce a special "sensor" into the cells — a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that helps them recognize and attack tumor cells. The target chosen is the CD19 protein associated with lymphoma, as well as plasma cell markers, which may help in the fight against multiple myeloma.
To train T-lymphocytes, a temporary genetic instruction in the form of mRNA is used, which forces the cells to produce a CAR receptor. After completing the task, this instruction disappears, which makes the process safe and effective.
Studies have already shown that modified cells successfully destroy tumor cells in a test tube. The next step will be testing the method on humans. If the results are positive, this could be an important step in personalized cancer treatment, making it more accessible and effective for patients.
The project is being implemented within the framework of the state program of scientific and technological development of the federal territory "Sirius".
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