CAR T Cells beyond cancer: Targeting diseases related to aging
The treatment of blood cancers that are resistant to chemotherapy has been transformed by the use of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR). These genetically modified immune cells are able to target and kill cancer cells precisely. Scientists at Memorial Sloan Kettering have now deployed them to combat other diseases such as those caused by senescence – a chronic state of \”alarm\” in tissue. These ailments are vast and include debilitating conditions such as fibrotic kidney disease, diabetes, and atherosclerosis.
Finding a good target is key to CAR T-cell therapy’s success. The first US Food and Drug Administration-approved CAR T cells target a molecule on the surface of blood cancers called CD19. The molecule is only found on cancerous cells and not many normal ones, so the side effects are minimal.
A team of investigators, including Scott Lowe (Chair of the Cancer Biology and Genetics Program at the Sloan Kettering Institute) and Michel Sadelain (Director of the Center for Cell Engineering, MSK), along with their trainees Corina amor, Judith Feucht and Josef Leibold sought to identify a specific target on senescent cell. These cells do not divide anymore, but actively send \”help-me\” signals to your immune system.
Source:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-06-car-cells-cancer-senescence-related-diseases.html
