“Purdue University Engineer Develops Method to Mass-Produce Antitumor Immune Cells”

Purdue University Chemical Engineer Develops Patent-Pending Method to Mass-Produce Antitumor Immune Cells

In a groundbreaking development, Xiaoping Bao, a chemical engineer at Purdue University, has improved upon traditional methods to produce off-the-shelf human immune cells that demonstrate strong antitumor activity. This breakthrough was detailed in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell Reports.

Overcoming the Challenges of Producing CAR-Neutrophils and HSCs

According to Bao, CAR-neutrophils, or chimeric antigen receptor neutrophils, and engraftable HSCs, or hematopoietic stem cells, are effective types of therapies for blood diseases and cancer. However, these cells are not readily available for broad clinical or research use due to the difficulty in expanding them ex vivo to a sufficient number required for infusion after isolation from donors.

“Primary neutrophils especially are resistant to genetic modification and have a short half-life,” Bao said. This is where the patent-pending method comes into play.

The Patent-Pending Method: A Game Changer

Bao has developed a patent-pending method to mass-produce CAR-neutrophils from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). These cells self-renew and have the potential to become any type of human cell. The chimeric antigen receptor constructs were engineered to express on the surface of the hPSCs, which were directed into functional CAR-neutrophils through a novel, chemically defined protocol.

This method was created in collaboration with Qing Deng at Purdue’s Department of Biological Sciences, Hal E. Broxmeyer, now deceased, at Indiana University School of Medicine, and Xiaojun Lian at the Pennsylvania State University.

“We developed a robust protocol for massive production of de novo neutrophils from human pluripotent stem cells,” Bao said. “These hPSC-derived neutrophils displayed superior and specific antitumor activities against glioblastoma after engineering with chimeric antigen receptors.”

Patent Application and Future Plans

The innovation has been disclosed to the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization, which has applied for an international patent under the Patent Cooperation Treaty system of the World Intellectual Property Organization. The innovation has been optioned to an Indiana-headquartered life sciences company.

“We will also work with Dr. Timothy Bentley, professor of neurology and neurosurgery, and his team at the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine to run clinical trials in pet dogs with spontaneous glioma,” Bao said.

Support and Funding

This research project was partially supported by the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering and College of Engineering Startup Funds, Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Showalter Research Trust and federal grants from the National Science Foundation and National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last four years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery.

About Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization

The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. In fiscal year 2021, the office reported 159 deals finalized with 236 technologies signed, 394 disclosures received and 187 issued U.S. patents.

Engineering chimeric antigen receptor neutrophils from human pluripotent stem cells for targeted cancer immunotherapy

In conclusion, this patent-pending method of engineering chimeric antigen receptor neutrophils from human pluripotent stem cells for targeted cancer immunotherapy is a significant step forward in the fight against cancer. It paves the way for myeloid cell-based therapeutic strategies that would boost current cancer treatment approaches.