Lay summary
CAR T-cell therapies are a revolutionary type of cancer treatment that work by training a patient’s immune system, specifically T cells, to hunt and kill cancer cells. Although successful in treating blood cancers, the full potential of these therapies for solid tissue cancers is yet to be achieved. As “living drugs” CAR T-cells are vulnerable to tumour-induced nutrient depletion which can impair their cancer killing activity. We have found a way to increase the activity of mitochondria (the energy powerhouse of the cell) to enable sustained T cell function and enhance T cell anti-cancer activity. Through this project, we will advance this technology and optimise its integration into CAR T-cell manufacturing protocols to provide a cost-effective way to enhance CAR T-cells for the treatment of blood and solid tissue cancers. This approach will help us develop a streamlined pathway towards future integration into our CAR T-cell clinical trial programme.