UNC Researchers Develop More Targeted Immunotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Scientists at the University of North Carolina have engineered immune cells that selectively destroy acute myeloid leukemia while sparing healthy blood tissue, potentially expanding treatment options for patients.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina have developed a new immunotherapy approach that selectively targets acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells without harming healthy blood tissue, addressing a key limitation of current treatments. The findings, published in the journal Blood, could lead to more effective and less toxic therapies for patients with this aggressive blood cancer.
Immunologist Gianpietro Dotti and hematologist Paul Armistead led research teams that engineered immune cells capable of distinguishing between cancerous and normal cells. Standard treatments often struggle with this separation, leading to significant side effects. The new method aims to improve outcomes by precisely attacking leukemia cells while preserving healthy tissue.
The study builds on advances in immunotherapy, which harnesses the body's immune system to fight cancer. Further research could pave the way for more advanced and even side-effect-free cancer therapies. Companies like Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc. (NYSE American: CLDI) are also focused on developing innovative cancer treatments. Calidi is among firms exploring novel approaches to immunotherapy.
This progress underscores the potential of targeted therapies to transform cancer care. AML is a rapidly progressing cancer that affects blood and bone marrow, with a five-year survival rate of around 30% for adults. Current treatments often involve intensive chemotherapy, which can damage healthy cells and cause severe side effects.
The UNC team's work represents a step toward more precise treatments that could improve quality of life for patients. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health and other institutions. The findings were published in Blood, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Society of Hematology.
For more information on the study, readers can refer to the journal Blood. The full press release is available through TinyGems, a communications platform that covers innovative small-cap and mid-cap companies. TinyGems is part of the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @IBN, which provides access to a network of wire solutions and editorial syndication to over 5,000 outlets.
The development of less toxic immunotherapies is critical as cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Advances in engineered immune cells could eventually be applied to other cancers, offering hope for more effective treatments with fewer side effects.