BYU researchers develop a promising tool against cancer tumors

Key Points:

• Researchers at Brigham Young University have developed MOTO-CAR, an immunotechnology that engineers macrophages to target and attack cancer cells in solid tumors, potentially offering new treatments for hard-to-cure cancers like glioblastoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
• Preclinical studies showed promising results, including a 90% reduction of aggressive lung cancer cells in vitro within 24 hours and up to a 46% tumor size reduction in mice after a single treatment.
• The treatment process involves tumor biopsy to identify cancer markers, selection of a pre-engineered MOTO-CAR therapeutic, and administration via infusion, with expected flu-like symptoms shortly after and immune activation within 14 to 28 days.
• Further research and funding are required before human clinical trials can begin, with patents licensed to Thunder Biotech, a company founded by lead researcher Kim O’Neill, who hopes the therapy could be available within five years pending FDA approval.
• O’Neill, personally motivated by the loss of his parents to cancer, emphasizes the potential of immunotherapy as a future cancer treatment and remains optimistic despite challenges encountered during development.