A novel test developed by researchers at Duke-NUS enables real-time monitoring of T cells engineered to fight cancer, allowing clinicians to track these cells throughout treatment. T cells are immune cells that detect and destroy infected cells, including tumor cells. Originally designed to detect SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells, the test has been adapted for cancer immunotherapy. It works by stimulating target T cells in the blood to release cytokines, allowing for measurement of quantity and quality of the cells.
In a proof-of-concept study published in Immunotherapy Advances, the researchers introduced peptides that stimulate T cells engineered to fight Hepatitis B virus-related liver cancer in patients. The test was used to assess whether the engineered T cells remained in the blood and functioned properly after infusion. Assistant Professor Anthony Tan, the first author of the study, highlights the test’s ability to detect and analyze engineered T cells in patient blood samples quickly and simply, potentially improving the accessibility of advanced treatments.
With engineered T-cell therapies increasingly used to treat various cancers, the ability to track these cells within the body over time is crucial for assessing treatment effectiveness. The plug-and-play concept of the test can help accelerate the translation of new T-cell therapies from the lab to clinical use. The research team has shown the test can be adapted for viral infections and cancer therapies, specifically for T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T cells and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies.
Professor Antonio Bertoletti, the senior author of the study, emphasizes the importance of tracking engineered T-cell functionality over time to assess treatment efficacy, an area that remains largely unexplored. The test has been used in a clinical trial for Hepatitis B virus-TCR T-cell therapy, showing improvements in immunotherapy outcomes. The team plans to further develop the test through larger clinical studies to advance cancer therapies and patient care.
Professor Patrick Tan, Senior Vice-Dean for Research at Duke-NUS, recognizes the potential of the new test in advancing cancer therapy and enhancing patient care across various diseases. By offering real-time data on engineered T-cell functionality, the test could enable highly personalized treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes. Duke-NUS is committed to combining basic research with translational applications to innovate treatment approaches and diagnostic tools for better global health.
The research is supported by the Singapore Ministry of Health through the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) and the NMRC Singapore Translational Research Investigator Award. The SAFE-T-HBV clinical trial, sponsored by Lion TCR Pte Ltd, has demonstrated the test’s impact on improving immunotherapy outcomes. The team aims to continue advancing the test through further clinical studies to support the development of novel cancer therapies and personalized patient care.
