MitoT experimental workflow on native and CAR-engineered T cells. Credit: Journal of Translational Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05627-4
In a pioneering study that bridges the gap between science fiction and reality, researchers have unveiled an innovative method to enhance T and CAR-T cells (our body’s natural and artificial defenders against cancer) by providing them with mitochondrial overload.
CAR-T cells are immune cells modified to express receptors that specifically target and attack cancer cells. This therapy involves extracting a patient’s T cells, enhancing them, and reintroducing them to improve cancer-fighting capabilities.
A team led by Dr. Maroun Khoury from the IMPACT Center of Excellence at the University of Los Andes, Santiago, Chile, discovered that the transfer of mitochondria (the energy-producing organelles of cells) from mesenchymal stem cells to T cells can significantly increase their survival rate and cancer-fighting capabilities.
This work was carried out in collaboration with the team of Dr. Martín Bonamino from the National Cancer Institute (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“It’s like turning a standard sedan into a racing car,” says Dr. Khoury. “These ‘Mito-CAR-T’ cells not only improve their survival, but they are also equipped for optimal performance, allowing them to execute a more effective attack against cancer cells.”
Published in the Journal of Translational MedicineThe study highlights how this innovative mitochondrial transfer technique can enhance natural and engineered CAR-T cells, paving the way for advancements in cancer immunotherapy.
“We are essentially teaching old cells new tricks,” the authors explain. “By boosting their energy production, we give these T cells a better chance to survive and outcompete their cancerous adversaries.”
This breakthrough addresses a major limitation of CAR-T therapy: the short lifespan of modified T cells in patients. Handling during manufacturing can cause cell depletion, reducing their effectiveness. However, with improved survival rates due to improved mitochondria, these engineered immune cells could lead to longer-lasting and more effective cancer treatments.
The potential applications of this research extend beyond oncology. Dr. Khoury notes: “This technique could also be transformative for other conditions where boosting immune cell function is vital, potentially opening new avenues of treatment for autoimmune diseases and infections.
It is quite a remarkable coincidence that the Chilean-Brazilian paper on mitochondrial transfer in T cells was accepted on the same day, August 14, as another important study carried out in Europe and the United States.
This research, titled “Nanotube-mediated intercellular mitochondrial transfer enhances T cell metabolic fitness and antitumor efficacy,” published in Cellexplores similar themes but offers a more global approach.
The authors show that transferring mitochondria via nanotubes from bone marrow stromal cells to T cells improves cellular metabolism, allowing engineered T cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to combat exhaustion and improve their efficiency. against tumors.
Both studies highlight the innovative potential of mitochondrial transfer to improve T cell performance, highlighting a growing interest in this area of research.
More information:
Angela C. Court et al, Survival advantage of native and engineered T cells is acquired by mitochondrial transfer from mesenchymal stem cells, Journal of Translational Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05627-4
Jeremy G. Baldwin et al, Nanotube-mediated intercellular mitochondrial transfer improves T cell metabolic fitness and antitumor efficacy, Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.08.029
Provided by the University of Los Andes
Quote: Cellular Power-Up: Stem Cells Provide T Cells a Lifeline as Cancer Champions (October 1, 2024) retrieved October 1, 2024 from
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