#USA #New York #DeGregorio Foundation #Gastroesophageal Cancer #CAR T cell therapy

Enhancing Immunotherapy: A Step Towards Curing Gastroesophageal Cancer

In a significant stride towards improving treatment for gastroesophageal cancer, the DeGregorio Family Foundation, backed by the Torrey Coast Foundation, has granted $450,000 to a collaborative research initiative led by Dr. Eric Smith, Dr. Andrew Aguirre of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Dr. Sam Klempner of Massachusetts General Hospital. This funding marks the culmination of a 2022 $1 million grant aimed at innovating immunotherapy solutions that could directly benefit patients suffering from this challenging disease.

Gastroesophageal cancers, including gastric and esophageal cancers, have proven challenging for traditional therapies, primarily cytotoxic chemotherapy. These treatments often fail to yield effective results, leaving patients with limited options. In contrast, immunotherapy has shown promise as an innovative approach that utilizes the body’s immune system to identify and eliminate cancer cells. Of particular interest is the application of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, which has demonstrated remarkable success in hematological cancers.

Understanding CAR T Cell Therapy

CAR T cell therapy involves isolating a patient’s own T cells from their blood, which are then genetically modified in a laboratory to recognize and attack specific proteins found on cancer cells. After the engineering process, these enhanced T cells are reintroduced into the patient’s system to destroy malignancies. One antigen that has garnered focus within gastroesophageal cancer research is CLDN18.2, a protein commonly expressed in these tumors. Recent trials using CAR T cell therapy targeting this antigen have shown some initial success, but unfortunately, the results are often not long-lasting, leading to relapses in patients.

Overcoming Challenges in Treatment

Recognizing these limitations, the research team is working to improve the durability of responses to CAR T therapies in gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas (GEA). The current challenge lies in the variability of CLDN18.2 expression among tumor cells, which can hinder the effectiveness of therapies targeting this protein. By analyzing over 50 patient samples, the researchers discovered that combining therapeutic strategies targeting multiple cell surface proteins could help address the issues of tumor plasticity and antibody targeting failure.

Armed with this knowledge, the team is now pursuing the development of next-generation cellular therapies aimed at simultaneously targeting multiple antigens. This approach is expected to enhance the effectiveness and durability of CAR T cell therapy, ultimately improving outcomes for patients with gastroesophageal cancer.

Funding Impact

The significance of the DeGregorio Family Foundation's grant cannot be overstated. Lynn DeGregorio, the Foundation's President, stated, "This funding is transformative for our research at this stage. It will allow us to leverage our understanding of immunotherapy targets for gastric and esophageal cancers to expedite the development of novel therapies that will directly affect patients' lives."

With gastric and esophageal cancers combined responsible for over 1.3 million deaths globally in 2020 alone, the need for innovative treatments is pressing. Through continued research and the advancement of immunotherapy techniques, the hope remains strong for enhancing patient prognosis and providing new avenues for cure.

A Foundation Committed to Change

Founded in 2006 after a member of the DeGregorio family succumbed to stomach cancer, the DeGregorio Family Foundation has consistently championed funding directed towards groundbreaking research in the realm of gastric and esophageal cancers. Having allocated upwards of $12 million over the years, the Foundation remains the only public organization dedicated solely to these cancers, underlining its commitment to urgently needed research funding.

As the research team progresses with their innovative therapies, the collaborative effort and support from organizations like the DeGregorio Family Foundation serve as vital lifelines for patients adamantly awaiting breakthroughs in their treatment options. Through these collaborative endeavors, the landscape for gastroesophageal cancer treatment may indeed change for the better, heralding a new era in patients' lives.