Engineered B-cell Therapy for Cancer Treatment

NU 2022-218

INVENTORS

• Catalina Lee Chang*
• Maciej Lesniak*

SHORT DESCRIPTION

Engineered B cells with reduced expression of key immune checkpoint proteins designed to boost cancer immunotherapy efficacy.

BACKGROUND

Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment; however, its application to brain tumors remains limited by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and low lymphocyte infiltration. Current approaches fail to effectively address the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, underscoring the need for innovative solutions that can overcome these hurdles.

ABSTRACT

This invention describes an engineered B-cell therapy which involves genetically modifying B cells to reduce the expression of immune checkpoint proteins—thereby potentially restoring their antitumor functionality. The modified B cells are intended to enhance the immune response in patients with cancers, particularly those with brain tumors such as glioblastoma, where traditional immunotherapies have had limited success.

APPLICATIONS

• Cancer immunotherapy
• Adjunct therapy to existing immunotherapeutic agents.

ADVANTAGES

• Improved immunotherapy response
• Targeted modulation of the tumor microenvironment

PUBLICATIONS

• Catalina Lee Chang, Maciej Lesniak et al, B-cells Drive Response to PD-1 Blockade in Glioblastoma Upon Neutralization of TGFβ-mediated Immunosuppression National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information, Jan 9 2023

IP STATUS

US Patent Pending