Scientists have developed an innovative strategy to transform the body’s own immune cells into cancer-fighting agents—without removing them from the body. Unlike traditional Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy, which requires extracting and modifying T cells in laboratories, this new method delivers genetic instructions directly inside the body. The findings, published in Science Translational Medicine, mark a significant shift in cancer treatment approaches.
How the Technology Works
As reported by medicalxpress, researchers at the Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine engineered red blood cells (erythrocytes) to carry messenger RNA (mRNA). Specifically, they developed a platform called mRNA-LNP-Ery, where lipid nanoparticles loaded with mRNA attach to red blood cells. Once inside the body, these cells deliver genetic instructions to myeloid cells, prompting them to produce tumor-targeting receptors.
Turning Myeloid Cells into Tumor Fighters
As a result, myeloid cells—key components of the immune system—begin expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Unlike conventional CAR-T cells, these engineered myeloid cells can infiltrate tumors and reshape the tumor microenvironment. Consequently, they not only attack cancer cells directly but also enhance broader immune responses.
Promising Preclinical Results
In preclinical animal models, the reprogrammed cells demonstrated strong antitumor activity. Moreover, they migrated to tumors, eliminated cancer cells, and improved immune cell infiltration, including T cells and natural killer cells. These findings suggest that the approach could overcome limitations seen in existing therapies.
Why Red Blood Cells Matter
Importantly, red blood cells offer several advantages. They are abundant, biocompatible, and circulate widely, making them ideal delivery vehicles. Additionally, they help mRNA evade immune detection, thereby improving delivery efficiency without triggering strong immune reactions.
A Step Toward Scalable Therapies
Although still in early stages, this strategy could simplify treatment, reduce costs, and expand access. By enabling in vivo immune cell programming, it opens new possibilities for scalable, effective cancer therapies and complements existing approaches.