Spanish researchers have achieved exceptional results in immunotherapy for breast cancer

Scientists Hospital Val d’Hebron And Marine Hospital Barcelona coordinated the creation innovative CAR-T therapy on which there is a lot of hope.

Treatment is focused on HER2 type of breast cancerwhich represents 15% these types of cancer and what is it more aggressive and with a worse prognosis.

Currently it has been tested on mice and the results were impressive. Even some mice with large tumors equivalent to a kilogram in humans were cured. Doctors have already provided their conclusions and hope that they will be approved to begin treatment in December. patient studies.

What does CAR-T therapy consist of?

These very promising results have been achieved thanks to a therapy that is becoming an excellent tool in the fight against cancer: CAR-T immunotherapy. It involves extracting immune cells from a patient through a blood sample. Specifically T cellswhich are capable of destroying cancer cells.

These cells genetically modify attack this type of tumor. In addition, in this case there is another new feature: added membrane protein which sticks to tumor cells and thus becomes more effective.

Then the modified cells they reproduce in the laboratory and millions are reinjected into the area where the tumor is located.

“In the laboratory we noticed that this new CAR-T produced a complete and long-term answer and also safe“, explained Dr. Macarena Romanfirst author study. “We saw amazing answer. We now have to confirm these results in clinical trials.“; that is, with people.

What tumors does it attack?

The first proposed target is to study HER2-driven breast tumors. HER2 – protein which helps the growth and development of a wide variety of cells called epithelial cells. However, an excess of this protein causes uncontrolled cell proliferation.

As you well know, lack of control over cell growth is the beginning of a tumor. This type HER2 cancer This doesn’t just apply to breasts. It is assumed that 4% of all tumors they arise like this. There is also HER2 cancer. stomach, uterus, gallbladder or bladderFor example.

This HER2 protein is one of the most vulnerable targets. Although many treatments have been developed, there are still a third of patients

with HER2 breast cancer do not respond to treatment.

“When developing cell therapies such as CAR-T for solid tumors (organ involvement), we should be able to develop strategies that further strengthening of the immune response patient“, says Dr. Roman.

In fact, CAR-T therapy has performed well so far. lymphomas and leukemiasliquid cancer. But it seems that the tumor is better hidden when it is in the tissue of the organ. That is why there are so many hopes placed on this project.

What’s the next step

Thirteen mice were used in the study, which are considered most suitable models learn live effectiveness of new treatments against cancer. Mice were injected with tumor cells from breast cancer patients and the tumors were allowed to grow. They were then injected with the modified T cells.

“We observed that in most mice tumors of significant size decreased until they disappeared completely, and the animals lived for several months without compromising their quality of life.“explains Dr. Roman.

After presenting their results in November this year, they have already requested the launch of the first phase of clinical trials. evaluate the safety of new therapy

. This means it will be tested on several patients.

Their goal is to begin the trial in a few months. “We thought recruit fifteen patients who have exhausted all therapeutic options“, the researchers explained. This will open the door for a more precise investigation into what patients who may benefit most this treatment.

If it works, the essay will go. gradually expanding. The hope is that it will finally become a widespread treatment for this type of cancer and begin testing on others as well.