{"id":9014,"date":"2023-06-16T08:42:39","date_gmt":"2023-06-16T08:42:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/?p=9014"},"modified":"2023-06-19T07:44:53","modified_gmt":"2023-06-19T07:44:53","slug":"looking-to-our-immune-system-promising-advances-in-cellular-immunotherapies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/oncology\/looking-to-our-immune-system-promising-advances-in-cellular-immunotherapies\/","title":{"rendered":"Looking to our immune system: promising advances in cellular immunotherapies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;color:#32373c\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-profile-box round ab-has-avatar ab-font-size-14 ab-block-profile ab-profile-columns\"><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-avatar-wrap\"><div class=\"ab-profile-image-wrap\"><figure class=\"ab-profile-image-square\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" class=\"ab-profile-avatar wp-image-9015\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210320\/Su-Maung.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210320\/Su-Maung.jpg 400w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210320\/Su-Maung-125x125.jpg 125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-content-wrap\"><h2 class=\"ab-profile-name\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Dr Su W Maung<\/h2><p class=\"ab-profile-title\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Consultant Haematologist, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin. Secretary\/Treasurer, Haematology Association of Ireland<\/p><div class=\"ab-profile-text\"><\/div><ul class=\"ab-social-links\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;color:#32373c\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-profile-box right round ab-has-avatar ab-font-size-14 ab-block-profile ab-profile-columns\"><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-avatar-wrap\"><div class=\"ab-profile-image-wrap\"><figure class=\"ab-profile-image-square\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"231\" height=\"232\" class=\"ab-profile-avatar wp-image-9016\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210320\/Screenshot-2023-06-16-at-09.15.12.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210320\/Screenshot-2023-06-16-at-09.15.12.jpg 231w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210320\/Screenshot-2023-06-16-at-09.15.12-125x125.jpg 125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 231px) 100vw, 231px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-content-wrap\"><h2 class=\"ab-profile-name\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Eva Szegezdi\u00a0<\/h2><p class=\"ab-profile-title\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Associate Professor in Biochemistry,\u00a0Director, Blood Cancer Network Ireland,\u00a0<br\/>Co-ordinator, INTEGRATE Doctorate Programme in Integrative Genomics,\u00a0<br\/>University of Galway, Ireland<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p><div class=\"ab-profile-text\"><\/div><ul class=\"ab-social-links\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Experts say that ongoing trials surrounding CAR-T and NK cell immunotherapies have the potential to revolutionise cancer care.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is a form of cellular immunotherapy known as adoptive cell transfer, targeting tumour-associated antigens in cancer cells. CAR-T cells are typically developed to recognise and attack a patient\u2019s harmful cancer cells. Like CAR-T, natural killer (NK) therapy is a type of cellular immunotherapy. Unlike CAR-T, in addition to a specific antigen, CAR-NK cells can also identify cancerous cells via a range of N-activating receptors.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"healt-1102173527\"><div class=\"healt-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><div id=\"healt-1519509266\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.haematologyireland.ie\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"HAI desk\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210312\/HAI-desk-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"  width=\"750\" height=\"250\"  style=\"display: inline-block;\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-car-t-extending-lives-of-cancer-patients\"><strong>CAR-T extending lives of cancer patients<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Su Maung, consultant haematologist at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and current Secretary\/Treasurer at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.haematologyireland.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Haematology Association of Ireland<\/a>, says CAR-T is proving successful in clinical trials.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;\u201cIn Ireland, we have approved CAR-T cell therapies for certain subtypes of B cell lymphoma and leukaemia. Clinical trials has an overall response rate up to 82%, which is extraordinary. This includes patients who have a complete response \u2014 meaning, they are still alive and well, thanks to their treatments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe believe the very high response rates are due to the fact patients are receiving a living drug that is proactively finding harmful cells and killing them.\u201d However, Dr Maung believes there are still limitations in delivery of service, which must be expedited for patients to better access treatment.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;\u201cWe would also like to be able to better manage the effects of CAR-T treatment which includes toxicity and infections.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The drugs currently used for blood cancers have <br>serious side effects as they also kill healthy cells.<\/p><cite><meta charset=\"utf-8\">Eva Szegezdi<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>More adaptable \u2018live\u2019 treatment option&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, similar to CAR-T cells, NK cells act as \u2018living drugs,\u2019 and they can be from any donor. They are then genetically engineered and processed for cancer treatment.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eva Szegezdi, Director of Blood Cancer Network Ireland (BCNI) at the University of Galway, explains: \u201cThe drugs currently used for blood cancers have serious side effects as they also kill healthy cells. These drugs also get eliminated from the body very quickly. Whereas, live immune cells are adaptable and can persist for a long time.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Genetic engineering by BCNI is focused on generating therapeutic CAR-NK cells, which can eliminate cancerous cells and without affecting healthy ones. \u201cCurrently, we test these NK cells on biobanked patient samples. When we progress further, we will engage in clinical trials.\u201d She expects the first trial in Ireland to be with 20 or 30 patients. \u201cIf that is successful, it will probably become an international trial.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"healt-984902342\"><div class=\"healt-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><div id=\"healt-4011119061\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.haematologyireland.ie\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"HAI desk\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210312\/HAI-desk-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"  width=\"750\" height=\"250\"  style=\"display: inline-block;\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Potential for improved cancer treatments<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With these findings and trials ongoing, patients in Ireland could potentially have access to more targeted treatment options, alongside traditional chemotherapy treatment.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><div style=\"text-align:center\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-button ab-block-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.haematologyireland.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"ab-button ab-button-shape-rounded ab-button-size-medium fb-pixel\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#a61f22\">Click here to learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Experts say that ongoing trials surrounding CAR-T and NK cell immunotherapies have the potential to revolutionise cancer care. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is a form of cellular immunotherapy known as adoptive cell transfer, targeting tumour-associated antigens in cancer cells. CAR-T cells are typically developed to recognise and attack a patient\u2019s harmful cancer cells. &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/oncology\/looking-to-our-immune-system-promising-advances-in-cellular-immunotherapies\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":9017,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2856],"tags":[5816],"class_list":["post-9014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-oncology","tag-innovations-in-oncology-q2-2023"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210319\/GettyImages-1074985246-600x400.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210319\/GettyImages-1074985246-600x600.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"henryphillips","author_link":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/author\/henryphillips\/"},"vicky_index_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9014"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9014\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9097,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9014\/revisions\/9097"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}