In a groundbreaking development, scientists from UC San Francisco and Northwestern University have successfully engineered CAR-T cells with a cancer-cell mutation, resulting in a highly potent treatment known as "Judo T-cell therapy." This innovative approach has shown to be 100 times more effective against cancer cells, including solid tumors, in mice.

CAR-T cell therapy involves modifying T-cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to enhance their ability to target cancer cells. While traditional CAR-T cells have been effective against blood cancers, they have struggled to combat solid tumors due to the hostile microenvironment created by cancer cells.

By integrating a cancer-cell mutation into CAR-T cells, researchers were able to create a therapy that can survive and thrive in the challenging conditions within solid tumors. An analysis of lymphoma patients' cancerous T-cells led to the discovery of 71 mutations, with one particular mutation making the engineered CAR-T cells significantly more potent against cancer cells.

The new approach not only showed promise in eliminating blood cancers but also demonstrated efficacy in destroying solid skin, lung, and stomach tumors in animal studies. The researchers remain cautious about potential risks, such as the development of secondary cancers, and are exploring ways to ensure the safety of the therapy.

Looking ahead, the scientists have established a startup called Moonlight Bio to further develop and advance the supercharged CAR-T cell therapy. Their primary focus is on lung cancer, with plans to initiate clinical trials within a few years. Additionally, they aim to continue exploring mutations that could enhance the therapy's effectiveness against various diseases.

The researchers emphasize the importance of learning from nature to optimize and customize these engineered cells for different medical applications. This innovative "Judo T-cell therapy" marks a significant milestone in cancer treatment, offering hope for more effective strategies in combating solid tumors.