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Scientists at UCLA have developed a new type of immunotherapy that could transform treatment for metastatic kidney cancer, one of the deadliest forms of the disease. The therapy, known as AlloCAR70-NKT, uses engineered immune cells designed to recognize and attack kidney tumours, while also reprogramming the tumour's protective environment. Unlike current cell-based therapies that must be tailored to each individual patient, this “off-the-shelf” approach can be produced in advance and made readily available—helping to avoid treatment delays for patients with fast-moving cancers. The study was published in Cell Reports Medicine, with lead authors Yan-Ruide Li and Junhui Hu.
The therapy works by turning stem cells into natural killer T (NKT) cells that are genetically modified with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD70, a protein often found on kidney cancer cells. These modified cells not only destroy cancer directly but are also designed to resist immune rejection and remain active in hostile tumour environments. Traditional CAR-T therapies often struggle against solid tumours like kidney cancer because of issues such as poor persistence, limited tumour penetration, and suppression by surrounding immune cells. AlloCAR70-NKT cells were engineered specifically to overcome these hurdles.
In preclinical tests, the engineered cells launched a three-pronged attack. They directly killed kidney cancer cells, even when the tumour expressed low levels of CD70. They also disrupted the tumour's microenvironment, weakening its defences, and eliminated host immune cells that would normally reject the therapy. Importantly, because these cells don’t stay in the body permanently, they reduce the risk of long-term immune complications that can occur with some existing therapies.
Researchers believe this multifunctional design could offer a safer and more effective treatment option for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, where survival rates remain very low despite recent advances in cancer care. If future clinical trials confirm the early promise, AlloCAR70-NKT could significantly expand access to life-saving immunotherapies and bring hope to patients with few options left.
