Chemical Engineering of Natural Killer Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy

Introduction

Our immune system evolved to protect our bodies from different invaders and to fight against infections and diseases. Immune cells use sophisticated ways to detect and destroy abnormal cells, while sparing our own cells.

Challenges with Cancer Cells

Unluckily, cancer cells often develop sneaky tricks enabling them to evade this protective machinery and to survive and proliferate.

Immunotherapy Overview

Immunotherapy, an emerging concept of treatment, aims to employ the power of the immune system to fight cancer by boosting or reeducating immune cells. One of the approaches, the adoptive cell transfer therapy, especially in the form of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cells, has shown unprecedented success in the treatment of certain types of cancer.

CAR Cells and Their Production

CAR cells are genetically modified immune cells engineered to recognize and kill cells with specific cancer antigens. Unfortunately, the production of genetically modified CARs is problematic, inefficient, time-consuming, and therefore associated with high costs.

Need for New Approaches

New approaches enabling the production of modified immune cells more effectively, faster, and cheaper could therefore change the way the therapy is used.

Proposed Innovative Approach

Within this proposal, we will explore the potential of an innovative approach for the production of chemically engineered immune cells and their application in immunotherapy.

Methodology

In particular, we will employ our technology based on a combination of:

1. Metabolic engineering
2. Subsequent biocompatible chemical labeling

This will allow us to produce antibody-modified natural killer (NK) cells that we will investigate in cancer-killing experiments.

Comparative Analysis

We will perform a side-by-side comparison of our technology with the ‘traditional’ CAR-NK cells both in vitro and in vivo to evaluate the pros and cons of both approaches.

Future Steps

Finally, in collaboration with our Tech Transfer Office, we will present the technology to potential stakeholders to bring it to the next step in the form of patent licensing or, eventually, develop the technology further within a spin-out company.