Adoptive Cell Therapy (ACT)

Posted on: October 30, 2023

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Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) represents a promising frontier in the field of cancer immunotherapy. The fundamental concept behind ACT is to harness the power of the patient’s own immune system to combat their cancer. Here’s a look at the subject:

1. How Adoptive Cell Therapy Works:
   • Extraction: T-cells are extracted from the patient’s body. These cells play a pivotal role in the immune response.
   • Modification: The extracted T-cells are genetically modified in a lab setting to recognize and target specific proteins (antigens) on cancer cells.
   • Expansion: These modified T-cells are then multiplied in large numbers in the lab.
   • Re-infusion: Finally, these expanded, genetically modified T-cells are infused back into the patient.
2. CAR T-cell Therapy:
   • CAR T-cell therapy is a subtype of ACT. In this approach, the T-cells are modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their surface.
   • These receptors allow the T-cells to recognize and bind to specific antigens on cancer cells, resulting in the destruction of the targeted cell.
   • CAR T-cell therapy has gained significant attention in recent years due to its success against certain blood cancers.
3. Targeting Mesothelin in Mesothelioma:
   • Mesothelin is a protein that is overexpressed on the surface of several tumor cells, including mesothelioma. Its high expression on tumor cells and limited expression on normal tissues makes it an attractive target for immunotherapy.
   • IcasM28z is an example of a CAR T-cell therapy that targets mesothelin.
   • By aiming at mesothelin, the genetically modified T-cells can selectively identify and attack mesothelioma cells, leaving most normal cells unharmed.
4. Challenges and Future Directions:
   • While CAR T-cell therapy has shown great promise, it also comes with challenges, such as potential side effects like cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity.
   • There’s ongoing research to refine the process, reduce side effects, and expand its use beyond blood cancers to solid tumors like mesothelioma.

In conclusion, adoptive cell therapy, and in particular CAR T-cell therapy, offers a novel and potent approach to harness the immune system against cancer. As research advances, it’s hopeful that more and more patients will benefit from these innovative treatments.