New Delhi, May 21
Age-related decline in the immune system can have a measurable impact on CAR-T cell therapy -- one of the most advanced forms of cancer immunotherapy, according to a study.
CAR-T therapy works by engineering a patient's T cells to recognise and destroy cancer cells.
The study led by Swiss researchers found that CAR-T cells from aged mice had poor mitochondrial function, lower "stemness," and reduced antitumour activity.
It was due to a drop in levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) -- a molecule essential for cellular energy and metabolism of mitochondria, said the team from the University of Lausanne (UNIL), the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).
"CAR-T cells from older individuals are metabolically impaired and significantly less effective. What's exciting is that we were able to rejuvenate these aged cells by restoring their NAD levels -- reviving their antitumour function in preclinical models," said Dr. Helen Carrasco Hope.
"Our findings strengthen the growing recognition that ageing fundamentally reshapes immune cell function and metabolism.
"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," Hope said.
For the study, published in the journal Nature Cancer, 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 personalised 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 researchers called for age to be systematically considered in the development and evaluation of cell-based immunotherapies.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is concerning for our elderly population in India where cancer rates are rising. We need more such research focused on Asian demographics too. Hope Indian medical institutes collaborate on similar studies soon! ðŸ™
My father underwent CAR-T therapy last year. While it helped, the doctors did mention his age (68) might affect outcomes. This study explains why. More power to researchers working on solutions for senior citizens!
Interesting research but how affordable will these NAD treatments be? In India, even basic cancer treatment is out of reach for many. Hope the government considers this while planning healthcare policies.
As a medical student, I find this fascinating! The connection between cellular metabolism and immunity is crucial. Maybe Ayurveda's focus on rejuvenation therapies has some scientific basis after all. More research needed on traditional+modern approaches.
While the science is impressive, I worry about accessibility. CAR-T therapy itself is prohibitively expensive in India. Adding NAD boosters might make it worse unless indigenous solutions are developed. Our pharma companies should take note.
This shows why preventive healthcare is so important! If we maintain better health through diet and exercise from younger age, maybe we can delay this immune system decline. Prevention is better than cure, as our grandparents always said!
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