Preventing senescence in CART cells to improve therapeutic efficacy

CAR-T cell therapy is an exciting new approach for treating cancer, offering remarkable initial results in some patients. However, many patients relapse within a year, and its effectiveness against solid tumors has been limited. Recent research suggests that CAR-T cells can become dysfunctional, which may reduce their effectiveness. The process of manufacturing CAR-T cells involves multiple stressors that could cause these cells to enter a state of senescence (where cells stop functioning properly). Whether this happens during manufacturing is currently unknown. This project aims to determine if CAR-T cell production leads to senescence and to explore ways to prevent it by targeting specific pathways. If successful, this research could improve the manufacturing process and enhance the effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapies, offering better outcomes for cancer patients.