RE: A new dawn14 May 2026 11:54
In mouse models, the new MSK-developed CAR T cells demonstrated remarkable effectiveness.
They not only eliminated leukaemia in animal models of both adult and paediatric AML, they also created long-lasting protection.
When mice that had been successfully treated were exposed to leukaemia again nearly a year later, they remained cancer-free — a sign their immune systems had effectively learned how to fight the cancer.
Importantly, the treatment spared healthy blood-forming cells, experiments showed.
The researchers also discovered that the new approach shows promise against another leukaemia — B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL), a fast-growing blood cancer where immature B-cells multiply in the bone marrow and blood.
The unusual U5 surface protein was detected in nearly 90% of B-ALL patient samples tested.
In laboratory studies, the CAR T cells effectively targeted B-ALL cells — including those that had lost CD19, the protein targeted by current CAR T cell therapies against this type of leukaemia.
“CD19 loss is a major mechanism of treatment resistance in B-ALL patients who relapse after CD19-directed CAR T cell therapy,” Dr. Abdel-Wahab notes.
“Our approach could potentially address that challenge.”
Based on these promising preclinical results, the research team is now working to advance their new CAR T cells toward clinical trials.
Bottom line : When mice that had been successfully treated were exposed to leukaemia again nearly a year later, they remained cancer-free — a sign their immune systems had effectively learned how to fight the cancer. 🐭