Probiotic-Enhanced CAR-T Cells Target Solid Tumors

CAR-T cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of blood cancers by targeting specific antigens on blood cells. However, applying this success to solid tumors, such as breast or colon cancer, has been challenging due to the variety of cells present in these tumors. This diversity makes it difficult to find a consistent and safe target for CAR-T cell therapy.

Researchers at Columbia Engineering have developed a new approach for tackling solid tumors. Their breakthrough approach is described in Science. They've engineered probiotic bacteria to colonize tumors and produce synthetic targets that guide CAR-T cells to attack cancer cells. This approach enables CAR-T cells to target a wide range of tumor types. While traditional CAR-T therapies rely on natural tumor antigens, this innovation marks the first instance of pairing engineered T cells with engineered bacteria to safely, systematically, and effectively target solid tumors.

In essence, the researchers have developed a universal CAR-T cell that recognizes a universal antigen by programming tumor-seeking bacteria to create a synthetic marker on solid tumors. This breakthrough might potentially treat any type of solid tumor, negating the need to identify a specific tumor antigen for each patient or cancer type.

This probiotic-guided CAR-T cell platform, called ProCAR, combines engineered probiotics with CAR-T cells and demonstrates CARs responding to synthetic antigens produced directly within the tumor. The approach has proven safe and effective in various human and mouse cancer models, whether the mice had compromised or healthy immune systems.