Avid Bioservices Inc (CDMO)

[hutschi]

IO KOLs Speak On WOLCHOK from 6/2017


https://www.lifescienceleader.com/doc/io-kols-speak-on-0001


CELL OUT, CELL IN

On the other end of the band from ablation and developing in parallel to off-the-shelf immuno-therapeutics is CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor therapy), which involves removing T cells from a patient, training them to recognize the patient’s cancer, and reintroducing the engineered cells back into the body. Most of our KOL contributors remain optimistic that the logistical and business challenges of CAR-T will yield to solution and don’t necessarily see the procedure as a competitive alternative to off-the-shelf approaches.

“Perhaps there is a role for manipulating immune checkpoints at the same time as you’re redirecting T cells toward targets of interest on the tumor,” says Wolchok, whose group is also working with CAR-T. “We are seeing these different approaches come together — the science is driving the field forward in a very strong way, and thankfully there are considerable technical advances as well. Dr. Carl June’s group at the University of Pennsylvania is applying new knowledge of inhibitory and agonist pathways to enhance the activity of the CAR-T cells. Such developments have allowed our group to do sophisticated manipulation of CAR-T cells under the leadership of Dr. Michelle Settling.”

Wolchok believes the CAR-T model will thrive in the same type of research-treatment settings that have fostered blood stem-cell transplants. “Again, advances in the technology of cell expansion are coming along well, allowing for more widespread application.”

CROSS-CULTURAL COLLABORATORS