Gene Therapy Turns Immune Cells

Breakthrough Gene Therapy Turns Immune Cells Against Cancer

A groundbreaking study led by researchers from Israel, the US, and China has developed a genetic method to reprogram immune cells, transforming them from cancer promoters into powerful tumor fighters. The findings, published by the Weizmann Institute of Science, could pave the way for new immunotherapy treatments for solid cancers.

Macrophages: The Double-Edged Sword of the Immune System

Macrophages are versatile immune cells that typically help the body fight infections and diseases. However, in many cancers, they switch sides, protecting tumors, aiding their growth, and even helping them spread.

“Macrophages are like the Swiss Army knife of the immune system—they can perform many functions, but in cancer, they’re hijacked to help tumors survive,” explained Prof. Ido Amit, lead researcher at Weizmann’s Systems Immunology Department.
Gene-Editing Breakthrough: The Zeb2 Switch

Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and AI-powered single-cell analysis, the team analyzed human tumor samples and identified 120 genes linked to this harmful transformation. They discovered that Zeb2, a key gene, acts as a master switch:When active → Macrophages support cancer growth, When silenced → Macrophages revert to their natural tumor-fighting state. Further research revealed that Zeb2 alters the epigenome, turning off anti-cancer genes while activating those that help tumors thrive.

DNA Therapy Shows Promise in Shrinking Tumors

The team designed a custom DNA molecule that delivers a gene-silencing agent directly into macrophages. In mice with bladder cancer, injecting this molecule reprogrammed the macrophages, leading to significant tumor shrinkage.

Implications for Future Cancer Treatments

This discovery opens new possibilities for immunotherapy, offering a way to re-educate immune cells rather than just destroying them. The next step is human clinical trials to test the therapy’s effectiveness in cancer patients. “We’re turning the enemy into an ally—using the body’s own defenses to fight cancer from within,” said Amit.

This research could lead to more precise, less toxic cancer treatments, potentially improving outcomes for patients with solid tumors like bladder, breast, and lung cancers.

gene therapy, genetic engineering, CRISPR, gene editing, viral vectors, non-viral delivery, somatic gene therapy, germline modification, DNA repair, RNA therapeutics, gene silencing, genome integration, precision medicine, molecular medicine, genetic disorders, inherited diseases, transgene expression, therapeutic genes, biotechnology, personalized therapy

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