Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest forms of cancer, with most patients diagnosed after the disease has already spread. Five-year survival rates for metastatic cases hover around 2–3%, and median survival is often measured in months.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a novel immunotherapy that could transform treatment for this stubborn disease.
Published in PNAS, the study describes CAR-NKT cell therapy, which is designed to locate and destroy pancreatic tumors—even after they have metastasized to other organs.
Traditional cell-based therapies, such as CAR-T cells, face challenges including tumor variability, immune evasion, and limited scalability. To overcome these hurdles, UCLA scientists engineered allogeneic stem cell–derived natural killer T cells, called Allo15MCAR-NKT cells. These cells can target tumors through multiple mechanisms, resist immune exhaustion, and avoid rejection by the patient’s immune system.
In preclinical models, Allo15MCAR-NKT cells effectively controlled tumor growth and spread. Researchers say this approach could provide a scalable, next-generation immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer and offer new options for patients with advanced disease.
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