Investigators are looking for ways to make immunotherapy treatment with CAR T cells more effective.
This magnified image shows immune cells, in blue, attacking and killing mesothelioma cells, in magenta. (Cells have been artificially colored.)
The immune cells are specially modified white blood cells called CAR T cells. These cells are filtered from a patient’s blood, engineered to recognize cancer cells, and then returned to the patient’s body. Once infused back into the patient, they seek out and attack cancer cells. (CAR stands for chimeric antigen receptor, which is the part added to the T cell that enables it to recognize the cancer.)
This treatment approach is a type of immunotherapy. It shows promise for treating blood cancers such as leukemia as well as some solid tumors, including certain types of lung cancer, breast cancer, and mesothelioma.
The image is from the lab of physician-scientist Prasad Adusumilli, who is leading immunotherapy research using T cells that are modified to recognize mesothelin — a protein found on the surface of some tumors in the chest — and to attack those cells.
Comments
Renee Girardi
Oct 12, 2016 • 1:27 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Oct 12, 2016 • 1:57 PM
In reply to Dr-Adusumillil performed my… by Renee Girardi
Sharyce Persson
Oct 20, 2016 • 9:34 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Oct 20, 2016 • 3:54 PM
In reply to Are they doing any clinical… by Sharyce Persson
Hi Sharyce, there are a number of immunotherapy treatments currently being evaluated for breast cancer in clinical trials, but it’s too early to say which ones will ultimately be effective. If you’re interested in making an appointment to learn more, you can call 800-525-2225 or go to https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/appointment for more information on making an appointment. Thank you for your comment.
Mike DeSousa
Oct 22, 2016 • 12:47 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Oct 24, 2016 • 10:42 AM
In reply to Can Dr.Adusumillil treat… by Mike DeSousa
Dear Mike, Dr. Adusumilli specializes in cancers in the chest, but we offer a number of clinical trials for people with ovarian cancer. To see a list of our trials evaluating new treatments - including immunotherapies — for ovarian cancer, please visit https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/ovarian/clinical-trials. If you have questions about any of these studies or would like to make an appointment for a loved one, please call our Physician Referral Service at 800-525-2225. Thank you for reaching out to us.
Alfred A. Grabowski
Oct 25, 2016 • 9:49 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Oct 25, 2016 • 11:47 AM
In reply to How has this method helped… by Alfred A. Grabowski
Hi Alfred, this treatment is currently under investigation in mesothelioma patients whose cancer expresses a certain gene, called mesothelin. If you’re interested in learning about this trial, you can call 800-525-2225 or go to https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/appointment for more information on making an appointment. Thank you for your comment.
Jae Hur
Nov 15, 2016 • 10:49 AM
My dad has just found he is with the sarcomatoid mesothelioma. He had a surgery and taken off a large tumor mass, size around 10×7cm from lung. His lung is clean now but there are still some cancer cells left behind his chest wall and we will try the multimodal therapy. The cells are not spread to lymph nodes so i think it didnt go too far. We live i Korea, but we are trying to find every ways to save him from the desease. So we have huge possibility to go to US and get better treatment if possible. What do you think we should do in this situation?
Thank you very much in advance.
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Nov 16, 2016 • 11:28 AM
In reply to My dad has just found he is… by Jae Hur
Dear Jae, we are sorry to hear about your father’s diagnosis. If you would like to arrange for a medical records review by mail or make an in-person appointment, please contact our International Center at [email protected]. You may learn more about the services our International Center provides to patients who live outside the United States by visiting https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/international-patients. Thank you for reaching out to us.
Dr-Adusumillil performed my surgery in May 2016. Just had first cat scan and am cancer free. Dr Adusumillil was professional and explained everything in laymans terms to my family and me. I can't stop telling everyone (coworkers and friends) how wonderful Sloan was and would highly recommend your hospital and of course Dr Adusumillil.