Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a groundbreaking noninvasive method for isolating tumor-attacking immune cells, enabling new personalized cancer treatments. This approach focuses on adoptive cell therapy (ACT), particularly effective for advanced melanoma, which typically relies on immune cells from the patient’s tumors. The innovation allows for the extraction of cancer-fighting cells from the bloodstream, potentially reaching cancers traditionally deemed too difficult to treat. The study’s lead author, Shana O. Kelley, confirmed the presence of circulating tumor-reactive lymphocytes (cTRLs) in blood, demonstrating they can effectively combat tumor cells, akin to tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). This discovery was made by using advanced technology to isolate and enhance these cells, yielding four times more effective immune responses compared to existing methods. Kelley, who holds various academic and leadership positions, aims to translate this research into clinical applications via her startup, CTRL Therapeutics, which plans to seek FDA approval for trials. The findings suggest potential for earlier cancer diagnosis and treatment, expanding treatment options beyond melanoma to include colon, lung, and breast cancers, highlighting a promising advancement in cancer immunotherapy.
