Title

Painting a Target on Cancer to Make Therapy More Effective

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Georgia Tech researchers unveil a breakthrough cancer therapy that flags tumors for immune attack, showing promise against brain, breast, and colon cancers while preventing recurrence.
ID
May 19, 2025 | By Joshua Stewart - College of Engineering
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Photo of Lena Gamboa, seated, Gabe Kwong, foreground, and Ali Zamat looking at microscopic cells closeup on a computer screen
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The combination approach that Lena Gamboa, seated, Gabe Kwong, foreground, and Ali Zamat developed tags the tumors with a synthetic "flag" then uses specially engineered cells from the patient's own immune system to attack the cancer. (Photo: Candler Hobbs)
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Biomedical engineers at Georgia Tech have developed a promising new cancer treatment strategy that combines tumor-targeting and immune system activation. The approach involves tagging cancer cells with a synthetic "flag" that makes them visible to the immune system, followed by the deployment of enhanced T cells derived from the patient to attack the flagged tumors.

This dual-action method has shown effectiveness in lab tests against difficult-to-treat cancers such as those in the brain, breast, and colon. Notably, the therapy not only eliminates existing tumors but also trains the immune system to recognize and combat future recurrences. Built on established and safe technologies, this innovation could accelerate the path to clinical trials and broader patient care.

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