Syllabus :GS3/Science and Tech
In News
- Researchers at IIT Bombay addressed a critical challenge in CAR T-cell and other adoptive T-cell transfer (ACT) therapies.
T-cells
- They are white blood cells that act as the body’s frontline defenders, detecting and destroying infections or abnormal cells like cancer, and coordinating other immune cells to respond—making them crucial for immunotherapy.
CAR T-cell therapy
- It is an advanced treatment that modifies a patient’s T-cells to more effectively attack cancer.
- Doctors first collect T-cells from the patient’s blood and then introduce a gene that gives them special receptors called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs).
- These receptors function like GPS, directing the T-cells to locate and target cancer cells.
- After engineering, the T-cells are expanded in the lab and then infused back into the patient’s body.
- NexCAR19 is the world’s first humanised CAR-T therapy developed in India by ImmunoACT.
Benefits
- Targeted Precision: : CAR-T cell therapy Specifically attacks cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, reducing side effects compared to chemotherapy.
- Personalised Treatment: CAR-T cell therapy Uses the patient’s own T-cells, engineered to target their unique cancer, enhancing effectiveness.
- Long-Lasting Effects: Engineered T-cells can persist in the body, providing extended protection against cancer recurrence.
- Reduced Hospitalisation & Costs: Fewer hospital stays and less supportive care needed, leading to potential cost savings.
- Advances in Cancer Treatment: Opens new avenues in immunotherapy, expanding treatment options and research possibilities.
- Technological Evolution: Continuous development of CAR constructs allows targeting of diverse cancers and combination therapies.
- Affordability: Indigenous therapies like NexCAR19 in India make CAR-T treatment more accessible and cost-effective.
Latest Developments
- Researchers are focused on retrieving lab-grown T-cells while keeping them intact and functional.
- They used 3D fibrous scaffolds that better replicate the body’s environment, T-cells grow more rapidly but cling tightly to the scaffold, making recovery challenging.
- The team tested three recovery methods—manual flushing, TrypLE enzyme, and Accutase—and found that Accutase, a gentler enzyme, maintained cell viability and immune function more effectively than harsher treatments.
- T-cells grown on scaffolds and recovered with Accutase remained highly potent against cancer cells, indicating greater reliability for adoptive T-cell therapies.
Importance
- The research could lower costs and enhance access to immunotherapy in India, with future plans including animal studies and direct implantation of T-cell-loaded scaffolds.
Disadvantages and Challenges
- Severe Side Effects: Risk of Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity, which can be life-threatening and require intensive hospital care.
- Limited Availability: Requires specialised facilities and expertise, restricting access to certain regions and institutions.
- Variable Efficacy: Not all patients respond; some may relapse after initial remission, and predictive markers are still under research.
- Tumor Antigen Escape: Cancer cells can lose or mutate target antigens, reducing long-term effectiveness of the therapy.
- Immunosuppression: Prolonged suppression of the immune system increases susceptibility to infections.
- Long-Term Follow-Up: Patients need extended monitoring for late side effects and potential cancer relapse.
Conclusion and way ahead
- CAR-T cell therapy holds great promise for safer, more effective, and widely accessible cancer treatment.
- Key focus areas include improving accessibility, enhancing safety, increasing efficacy, expanding to solid tumors, automating production to reduce costs, and leveraging emerging technologies like CRISPR, AI, and synthetic biology.
Source :IE
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