A Breath of Relief: Scientists Design a Single Shot Treatment for Asthma using CAR T Cell Therapy

Wednesday - May 29 2024, 03:35 UTC - 5 months ago

Scientists from Tsinghua University have developed a single shot CAR T cell therapy for asthma, which targets a specific group of immune cells and reduces lung inflammation for up to six months. This breakthrough could pave the way for similar treatments for other chronic disorders and potentially change how we manage and treat common ailments.

Asthma is a common breathing disorder that affects over 300 million people worldwide. For many, the only relief they can find is through inhalers, but these can only provide temporary relief during emergencies. In an effort to find a more long-term solution for asthma, scientists from Tsinghua University in Beijing turned to CAR T cell therapy.

CAR T cell therapy involves extracting T cells from the body and genetically engineering them to target specific cells or proteins. These modified cells are then infused back into the body, where they can hunt down and destroy their target. This approach has been successful in treating various types of blood cancer, but using it for chronic disorders presents a new set of challenges.

The first challenge is finding the right target. Unlike blood cancer, which often involves a single type of cancerous cell, chronic disorders like asthma involve multiple cells and proteins. This makes it more difficult to find a target that will effectively treat the disease without causing harm to normal cells. Additionally, the longevity of CAR T cells is a concern. Like other cells, CAR T cells eventually wear out and are not able to continue fighting against the disease, leading to a possible relapse.

The potential for serious side effects also makes it difficult to justify CAR T therapy for non-life-threatening diseases. Typically, people undergoing this type of therapy need to undergo chemotherapeutic conditioning, which involves destroying cells in the bone marrow to make space for the modified T cells. While this is necessary for treating serious diseases, it can be a tough decision for those with chronic conditions.

However, the team from Tsinghua University took all of these factors into account when designing their CAR T treatment for asthma. By targeting a specific group of immune cells called eosinophils, which are known to be major contributors to asthma attacks, they were able to reduce lung inflammation and prevent symptoms for up to six months in mice models. The therapy also lowered the number of eosinophils in the airways and helped to reopen blocked airways in multiple asthma models.

The results of this study, published in Nature Immunology, mark a significant breakthrough in the treatment of chronic diseases. Instead of relying on daily medications and inhalers, a single shot of CAR T therapy could provide long-term relief for individuals with asthma. This opens up the possibility for similar treatments for other chronic disorders, including autoimmune diseases and even aging.

As we continue to unlock the potential of CAR T cell therapy, there may be a paradigm shift in how we manage and treat common chronic diseases. With every new development, we move closer to finding a permanent solution for ailments that have plagued humanity for far too long.