Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks

A collaborative study led by the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute has discovered a new immune checkpoint that could be exploited for cancer treatment. The study shows that by inhibiting the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B in T cells, the body's immune response to cancer can be mobilized, helping to suppress tumor growth. Indeed, this study showed that using a new drug candidate, the abundance of PTP1B in tumor-infiltrating T cells is increased, limiting the ability of T cells to attack tumor cells and fight cancer. These findings identified PTP1B as an intracellular brake, or checkpoint, reminiscent of the PD-1 cell surface checkpoint whose blockade has revolutionized cancer treatment. Furthermore, beyond the improved response to PD-1 blockade, the authors showed that inhibition of PTP1B also significantly improved the efficacy of cell-based therapies using CAR T cells. The authors demonstrate that deletion or inhibition of PTP1B can significantly improve the ability of CAR T cells to attack solid tumors in mice, including breast cancer.