New Device Holds Promise for Affordable CAR T Cell Therapy
CLEVELAND — Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have unveiled a groundbreaking device, CAPGLO (for capture and glow), which aims to make CAR T cell immunotherapy more accessible and less expensive. This type of therapy, known for its remarkable efficacy in treating blood cancers like lymphoma and leukemia, shows potential against solid tumors as well. However, the high costs and complexities involved in T cell harvesting have limited its widespread use.
CAR T cell therapy utilizes a patient’s modified immune cells to target cancer cells. Currently, T cells are harvested through "leukapheresis," a procedure that demands specialized, expensive equipment and requires significant blood volume from patients. CAPGLO seeks to streamline this process by using a magnetic field to capture T cells, visually enhancing them with fluorescent tags.
This interdisciplinary initiative involves physicist Robert Brown, cell biologist Susann Brady-Kalnay, and immunologist David Wald, working together to promote scientific innovation. “We hope to reduce the cost of immunotherapy,” stated Brady-Kalnay, aiming for it to become a first-line treatment rather than a last resort. The device reportedly could be manufactured for just a few hundred dollars, making it a feasible option for a broader range of patients.
CAPGLO captures T cells with magnetic beads coated in a specific protein, allowing for the separation and collection of T cells from blood samples efficiently—potentially processing patient blood within an hour. The development of this device is receiving support through a grant from the CWRU Technology Validation and Startup Fund.
Ultimately, if successful, CAPGLO could revolutionize the accessibility and affordability of CAR T cell therapy, providing new hope for countless individuals fighting cancer.
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