Innovative Leukemia-On-A-Chip Device Revolutionizes CAR T Therapy Testing

A groundbreaking development by researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering has led to the creation of the first immunocompetent leukemia device, which could significantly advance personalized testing for CAR T-cell immunotherapy. This miniature, microscope slide-sized device, known as leukemia-on-a-chip, uniquely replicates both the physical architecture of human bone marrow and the functioning immune system within a laboratory setting. This innovation allows for real-time observation of how immunotherapy drugs interact with cancer cells in an environment that closely mimics the human body, offering a promising alternative to traditional animal testing.

The device recreates three critical regions of bone marrow where leukemia develops: blood vessels, the marrow cavity, and the outer bone lining. When seeded with a patient’s own bone marrow cells, the system self-organizes, producing structural proteins such as collagen, fibronectin, and laminin, which sustain the tissue’s physical and immune complexity. Using advanced imaging, scientists can now watch immune cells patrol the blood vessels, recognize leukemia cells, and eliminate them—an insight that was previously difficult to obtain in live systems.

Moreover, the study revealed that engineered immune cells could activate other immune cells, creating a bystander effect that might influence treatment success and side effects. The research team simulated various clinical scenarios, including complete remission and relapse, and found that next-generation CAR T-cells with enhanced features outperformed standard versions, especially at lower doses.

The leukemia-on-a-chip can be assembled within half a day and supports two-week experiments, drastically reducing the time and complexity compared to animal models that require months of preparation. This technology enables physicians to test a patient’s cancer cells with different therapies before starting treatment, paving the way for more personalized and effective interventions.

The research team also developed a comprehensive index to evaluate various CAR T-cell therapies' performance, providing a detailed prediction of their potential success in actual patients. This innovation aligns with recent FDA initiatives to phase out animal testing in favor of human tissue models, making it highly relevant for future treatment development and safety assessments.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-immunocompetent-leukemia-device-car-immunotherapy.html