USC scientists discover how to create a never-ending supply of cancer-fighting cells

USC scientists have discovered a way to create a potentially renewable supply of genetically engineered immune cells that can attack cancer and strengthen the body’s natural defenses. By growing and modifying immature immune cells rather than mature ones, researchers developed a system that can continuously produce tumor-fighting cells inside the body. USC scientists discover how to create a never-ending supply of cancer-fighting cells.

USC scientists discover how to create a never-ending supply of cancer-fighting cells Science News from research organizations USC scientists discover how to create a never-ending supply of cancer-fighting cells Scientists have created a potentially renewable source of engineered immune cells that fight cancer, offering a promising path toward longer-lasting, ready-made immunotherapies. By working with immature cells that can develop into powerful immune defenders, the researchers have created a system capable of generating large numbers of genetically engineered cells that recognize tumors and help activate the body’s natural defenses. The breakthrough, described in a study published in Cell, could help overcome some of the biggest obstacles facing cancer immunotherapy, including the difficulty of manufacturing enough immune cells and keeping them active in the body.

In experiments involving mice, the engineered cells established themselves in bone marrow, produced new immune cells, and slowed the progression of both blood cancers and solid tumors. The USC Stem Cell-led team focused on a type of immature immune cell called granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (GMPs). These cells normally develop into macrophages and other immune cells that protect the body from infections and participate in immune responses.

The researchers found that GMPs could be grown extensively in the laboratory while retaining their ability to develop into functioning immune cells.