Israeli Researchers Engineer T-Cell Receptors That Slow Tumors in Mice

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University and the Weizmann Institute used computational protein design to strengthen the constant regions of T-cell receptors, which help engineered immune cells recognize targets. Their modified receptor, called SET, improved laboratory responses to cancer and viral targets, according to a university release. In mice bearing human melanoma tumors, the researchers reported tumors about 35% smaller than untreated controls on day 83; all mice given SET cells were alive on day 127, compared with fewer than half of controls. The results are preclinical and do not establish safety or effectiveness in people.