Lausanne, May 20
People's immune systems deteriorate as they age, making cancer therapies that rely on immune cells difficult to implement.
In a new study, researchers from the University of Lausanne (UNIL), the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), and the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) show that age-related immune decline has a measurable impact on CAR-T cell therapy, one of the most advanced forms of cancer immunotherapy.
CAR-T therapy works by engineering a patient's T-cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells. But the study found that CAR-T cells from aged mice had poor mitochondrial function, lower "stemness", and reduced antitumor activity. The culprit: a drop in levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a molecule essential for cellular energy and metabolism of mitochondria.
"CAR-T cells from older individuals are metabolically impaired and significantly less effective," said first author Dr. Helen Carrasco Hope. "What's exciting is that we were able to rejuvenate these aged cells by restoring their NAD levels--reviving their antitumor function in preclinical models."
"Our findings strengthen the growing recognition that aging fundamentally reshapes immune cell function and metabolism," she added. "They highlight the urgent need to model age more accurately in preclinical studies, so that therapies are developed with the real-world cancer population in mind--where most patients are older adults."
The team used NAD-boosting compounds currently under clinical investigation for other conditions, demonstrating that this approach is translatable and potentially applicable in humans. "This is a major step toward personalized and age-conscious immunotherapy," said senior author Dr. Nicola Vannini. "By correcting age-related metabolic defects, we could improve outcomes for a large segment of cancer patients."
The study adds to a growing body of work showing that age is not just a chronological number, but a biological factor that can shape therapy response. The authors call for age to be systematically considered in the development and evaluation of cell-based immunotherapies.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is fascinating research! In India where joint families are common, we see firsthand how aging affects immunity. My grandfather battled cancer last year and treatments were tough on him. Hope this NAD therapy becomes affordable for our population soon. ðŸ™
Important study but I worry about accessibility. CAR-T therapy is already prohibitively expensive in India. Unless we develop indigenous solutions, such advanced treatments will remain out of reach for most Indians. Our research institutions should collaborate on this.
The Ayurvedic concept of "ojas" (vitality) seems connected to this NAD research. Maybe our traditional medicine systems could contribute complementary approaches? Modern science validating what ancient systems observed about aging and immunity is always interesting.
While the science is promising, I'm concerned about rushing NAD boosters to market. We've seen many "miracle" supplements fail in India. Proper clinical trials are must before such treatments reach our parents and grandparents. Safety first!
As someone working in India's biotech sector, this shows why we need more aging research focused on Indian populations. Our genetic makeup and lifestyle factors might mean different NAD requirements. One-size-fits-all Western solutions may not work optimally here.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.