Researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO) and the 12 de Octubre University Hospital in Madrid have developed a novel immunotherapy for treating multiple myeloma that has demonstrated superior effectiveness in laboratory tests compared to the current preferred treatment. This new immunotherapy, known as STAb cells, has yet to undergo clinical trials and is expected to take at least two years before it becomes available to patients.
Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematological cancer in adults, following lymphomas. In recent years, CAR-T cell immunotherapy has been used to treat these types of cancers, providing significant advancements over previous treatment options. However, a substantial number of patients still experience relapse, necessitating the need for new and improved therapies.
The new study compared the effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapy with a cellular immunotherapy based on STAb-T cells. Both approaches involve modifying T-lymphocyte immune cells to recognize and fight tumor cells by targeting a specific antigen called BCMA, which is present exclusively in cancer cells.
The results of the study demonstrate that STAb-T cells outperform CAR-T cells by recruiting natural, non-modified T cells in the body to enhance the anti-cancer effect of the therapy. Additionally, STAb-T cells are not hindered by the presence of soluble BCMA antigen, which can impede CAR-T cell activity in patients with a high tumor burden.
Furthermore, the researchers found that STAb-T cells generate immunological memory, a crucial component for long-term control of the disease. The persistence of CAR-T cells in the body is directly related to the extent of the antitumor effect. By demonstrating the generation of memory cells in STAb-T immunotherapy, the study suggests the possibility of achieving long-term disease control in treated patients.
The team, led by senior author Luis Álvarez-Vallina, head of the H12O-CNIO Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Research Unit, plans to conduct a clinical trial in collaboration with the 12 de Octubre University Hospital in Madrid to further evaluate the efficacy of this new STAb-T immunotherapy in treating patients with multiple myeloma.
These findings represent a significant advancement in the field of immunotherapy, offering hope for improved outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma. The development of this new treatment may lead to enhanced long-term control of the disease and potentially reduce the rate of relapse. As further research and clinical trials are conducted, the medical community is eager to see the potential impact of STAb-T immunotherapy on improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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