With a grant of over 2.2 million euros from the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF Kankerbestrijding), the UMCG will treat patients with rare T-cell cancers using CAR-T cells that have been fully developed at the UMCG, on the Healthy Ageing Campus.
The treatments are part of a study into the optimal safe dose of this new product, explains UMG researcher Edwin Bremer from the Haematology department. A total of twelve patients with rare T-cell cancers (T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or T-cell lymph node cancer) can participate in the study. ‘The study focuses on patients for whom other treatments have not been effective or in whom this specific form of leukaemia or lymph node cancer has returned after previous treatment.’
In CAR-T cell therapy, T cells (a specific type of white blood cell that plays an important role in our immune system) are removed from the patient's blood. These cells are then genetically modified in the laboratory. A so-called CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) is inserted so that the T cell can recognise and attack the cancer cells again. The patient's own immune system is thus used to eliminate the cancer cells. ‘What makes our CAR-T cell product unique is that we have developed a CAR based on a natural binder that the body produces to attach to cancer cells,’ explains Bremer.
The UMCG has been working for some time on producing its own CAR-T cells and using them to treat patients. Until now, a CAR developed by other parties has been used for this purpose. With the KWF grant, the UMCG can now treat patients for the first time with CAR-T cells that have been developed and produced entirely at the UMCG.
‘By producing the CAR-T cells ourselves, we can treat patients with a fresh and readily available product. In addition, T-cell cancers are rare and therefore less attractive for commercial parties to develop therapies for. That is why it is important that we at the UMCG conduct research to develop and produce CAR-T cell products for these patients ourselves. We expect to be able to start this so-called phase I study in mid-2026.'
If the research is successful, Bremer hopes that the CAR-T cell product for these patients can be further investigated for effectiveness and ultimately become available as reimbursed care.
Source article and image: UMCG, by Lex Kloosterman and Larissa van der Wal
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