Susanna F. Greer: Our researchers don’t cut corners – they’re cutting edge
Susanna F. Greer, Chief Scientific Officer at The V Foundation for Cancer Research shared on LinkedIn:
“This week’s Cool Cancer Find focuses on refining a cutting-edge cancer treatment called Adoptive T-cell transfer (ACT) therapy, where patients are given specially prepared T cells that can target and attack their tumors.
In ACT, T cells are extracted from the patient, genetically modified, or selected for their ability to recognize cancer cells, and then multiplied in the laboratory. These enhanced T cells are then infused back into the patient to help their immune systems fight their cancers better.
This study from the V Foundation Grantee Dr. Chrystal Paulos (Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University) focuses on optimizing the preconditioning methods that prepare the patient’s body to receive these T cells, making the treatment more effective.
Why is optimization so important? Effective preconditioning improves the likelihood that the adoptively transferred T cells will survive, proliferate, and effectively target cancer cells within the patient’s body.
By creating a more supportive environment for the T cells, the chances of achieving a durable and effective anti-cancer response are significantly increased.
Said another way, Dr. Paulos demonstrates that preconditioning is crucial because it helps create a more favorable environment in the body for the infused T cells to survive to attack the tumor.
These findings are significant as they can lead to improvements in ACT therapy, making it more potent for patients with challenging-to-treat cancers.
Why do I love this paper? Easy: these improvements will lead to a more potent and effective immune response against cancer, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment outcomes and long-term remission.
Read this cool paper here: Distinct host preconditioning regimens differentially impact the antitumor potency of adoptively transferred Th17 cells (bmj.com) and find the Paulos lab at Chrystal M. Paulos, PhD (Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University)“
Source: Susanna F. Greer/LinkedIn