Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that primarily affects teenagers and is relatively rare, with about 160 new cases in the UK each year. There are more than 150,000 people who suffer from cancer that has spread to the bones.
Cancer that begins in the bones or spreads to them is rnrnIt is extremely difficult to treat and is a major cause of cancer-related deaths. Additionally, it often does not respond well to chemotherapy, so new treatments are necessary.
The findings of the study, which was published in Science Translational Medicine, showed that using a small group of immune cells known as gamma-delta T cells (gdT cells) could offer an effective and cost-efficient solution.
GdT cells are a lesser-known type of immune cell that can be created from healthy donor immune cells. They have strong natural anti-cancer properties, can destroy antibody labeled targets, and can be safely transferred from one person to another, with ease.
In order to reduce the risk of graft-versus-host disease, gdT cells are manufactured by taking blood from a healthy donor. These cells are then modified to produce tumor-targeting antibodies and immune-stimulating cytokines. The engineered cells, known as OPS-gdT, are then injected into the cancer patient’s bone.
The new treatment platform, OPS-gdT, was tested on mouse models with bone cancer and was found to be more effective than traditional immunotherapy in controlling the growth of osteosarcoma.
Dr. Jonathan Fisher, the lead author from UCL Great Ormond Street, conducted the research.The Institute of Child Health and UCLH pointed out that current immunotherapies like CAR-T cells involve modifying the patient’s own immune cells to enhance their ability to fight cancer. However, this method is costly and time-consuming, which can lead to worsening of the patient’s condition. Additionally, while it is successful in treating leukemia, it is not as effective for solid cancers. An alternative approach is to use a ready-made treatment using immune cells from healthy donors, but caution is needed to prevent graft-versus-host disease, a condition where the donor cells attack the recipient’s body.The Fisher Lab has developed a method for modifying gdT cells, which are not commonly used, but have been proven to be safe when obtained from unrelated donor blood. This provides a more cost-efficient option for manufacturing compared to the current individualized approach. In their study, the researchers administered gdT cells, anti-tumor antibody, OPS-gdT cells, and CAR T-cells to mice. They discovered that the OPS-gdT cells were most successful when combined with the bone sensitizing drug, which has been used in the past.
A new treatment has been used to strengthen weak bones in patients with cancer. The treatment has been successful in preventing the growth of tumors in mice, leaving them healthy three months later.
Dr Fisher expressed optimism about the potential of this treatment, stating that it could be a significant step forward in finding a new treatment for cancer that spreads to the bones. He also hopes that this treatment will be effective for other adult cancers, not just osteosarcoma.
Following the successful preclinical trial, the team is now ge
The researchers are collecting data on how effective OPS-gdT cells are in treating secondary bone cancers. They are planning to start a clinical trial with patients who have secondary cancers within the next few years. This study was funded by UCLB, the commercialization arm of UCL. Sara Garcia Gomez, Senior Business Manager at UCLB, stated that they collaborate with leading clinicians to bring new treatments from the lab to the patient. This study has shown promise for new therapies for bone cancers, which currently have limited treatment options. They will continue to work closely with Dr. Fisher and his team.The new approach is being explored through the important stages, and the research received support from UCL Technology Fund and the National Institute for Health and Care Research GOSH Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR GOSH BRC). Support was also provided by Professor Katia Scotlandi (Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna), the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group, and the Little Princess Trust. Tanel Ozdemir, an investor at UCL Technology Fund, expressed his pleasure in working with Dr. Fisher and the UCL team for several years, highlighting the significant advancement demonstrated by the OPS-gdT platform.The researchers are interested in finding effective ways to use immunotherapies to treat solid tumors. They are particularly excited about the potential of this technology and are committed to supporting Dr. Fisher as he works to make this treatment available to patients.
