Scientists Develop Synthetic 'Flags' to Guide Immune Cells in Tumor Defense

Researchers at Georgia Tech have pioneered a groundbreaking approach to enhance cancer immunotherapy by teaching immune cells to recognize and attack tumors more effectively. Their innovative method involves engineering tumors with synthetic antigens—custom-designed 'flags'—that are only present on cancer cells. These flags serve as precise targets for immune cells, specifically engineered T cells equipped with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR T cells). Once the synthetic antigen is delivered to cancer cells via mRNA technology, the body's immune system learns to identify and eliminate these marked tumors.

This technique, showcased in a recent study published in Nature Cancer, demonstrated promising results against cancers that are notoriously difficult to treat, including brain, breast, and colon cancers. Importantly, in laboratory tests, the method did not harm healthy tissue and effectively prevented cancer recurrence.

The approach transforms existing CAR T cell therapy, traditionally effective against liquid tumors like leukemia, into a versatile platform capable of targeting solid tumors. By marking tumors with synthetic antigens, the therapy bypasses the need to identify unique markers on each tumor type, allowing for a more universal treatment strategy.

The research team, led by Gabe Kwong, utilized mRNA technology similar to that used in COVID-19 vaccines to deliver the synthetic antigens. Their method also turns the tumor itself into a training ground for the immune system, enabling it to recognize and respond to any potential recurrence. This is especially significant for aggressive cancers such as triple-negative breast cancer, which lack common targets for existing therapies.

While further research and clinical trials are necessary, the safety profile of mRNA delivery and CAR T cell therapies suggests that this approach could progress to human testing relatively quickly. The versatility and precision of this strategy hold promise for expanding cancer treatment options and improving patient outcomes.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-immune-cells-tumors-scientists-synthetic.html