Oncology story: Immunotherapy, CAR-T therapy, Targeted therapy and Attack Particles - 07/24

Investment in Oncology is going to go up as cancer is affecting masses. Below is a summary of the key treatments 

T-cells (Body's own immune system) are a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. The T cells see cancer as “foreign” cells that don’t belong in the body. The T cells attack and try to destroy the cancerous cells. 

• Immunotherapy: When the cancer cells are killed, a “checkpoint” (PD-1/PD-L1) in the immune system stops the T cells from attacking. This protects healthy cells. Cancer cells may activate the “checkpoint” process.  This can make the immune system stop the attack on the cancer too early. Immunotherapy works by Immune checkpoint inhibitors, this approach uses drugs to stop the “checkpoint” process. This lets the T cells keep fighting cancer.

• CAR-T therapy: Cancer evades immune system. In CAR-T patients own T-cells are taken and modified in labrotoary to express receptors to better recognize cancer. These modified T-Cells are infused back into the patient's body to recognize and kill cancer cells effectively
  

• Targeted therapy: Some cancers have certain types of proteins or enzymes send certain messages to tell the cancer cell to grow and copy itself. Knowing these details has led to the development of drugs that can “target” these proteins or enzymes and block the messages being sent. Targeted drugs can block or turn off signals that make cancer cells grow, or can signal the cancer cells to destroy themselves.
  

• Attack particles: Granza Bio, a new startup in the field of Oncology. are engineered particles inspired by body’s own immune system (T-cell1).  Composed of Thrombospondin3 protein shell loaded with cytotoxic4 molecules like Perforin5 and Granzymes5.  These attack particles are engineered with targeting Motifs for Cancer specific delivery. This approach ensure cancer particle only eliminates cancer cell without affecting surrounding healthy cells. 

Definitions: 

3. The thrombospondins are a multifunctional family of glycoproteins which regulates migration, cellular attachment, and invasion. They are secreted in the extracellular matrix where they interact with other growth factors and signaling molecules to influence antiangiogenic and antiproliferative effects.

4. Cytotoxic drugs (sometimes known as antineoplastics) describe a group of medicines that contain chemicals which are toxic to cells, preventing their replication or growth, and so are used to treat cancer.

5. Both perforin and granzymes are required for effective cell killing. Perforin creates an opening in the target cancer cell so the T-cell or attack particles can insert granzymes. The granzyme kills the cell.

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