West LA Times

A UCLA research team has developed a new platform to enhance T cell-based therapies, offering promising advancements in the fight against cancer. CAR-T cell therapy, which involves modifying a patient's immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells, is already proving effective against blood cancers. However, challenges remain in replicating the natural environment necessary for optimal T cell activation.

The UCLA study, published in Nature Nanotechnology, addresses this issue by using a combination of graphene oxide and antibodies to simulate natural immune cell interactions. This innovation significantly boosts the ability of T cells to multiply while maintaining their effectiveness.

Yu Huang, co-corresponding author and Traugott and Dorothea Frederking Professor of Engineering at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, highlighted the significance of this development: "Our interface bridges the gap between the laboratory and actual conditions inside the body, allowing us to gain insights much more relevant to real-world biological processes."

This advancement not only holds potential for improving CAR-T cell therapy but also paves the way for progress in other areas such as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

For further details, refer to the full release on the CNSI website.