With a grant of over 2.2 million euros from KWF Kankerbestrijding, UMCG will treat patients with rare cancers of T-cells with CAR-T cells developed entirely at UMCG. The treatments take place within a study of the optimal safe dose of this new product, says UMG researcher Edwin Bremer of the Department of Hematology. A total of twelve patients with rare cancers of T-cells (T-cell acute lymphatic leukemia or T-cell lymphoma) can participate in the study. 'The study focuses on patients in whom other treatments fail or in whom this specific form of leukemia or lymphoma recurs after previous treatment.'
In CAR-T cell therapy, T cells (a certain type of white blood cells that play an important role in our immune system) are extracted from the patient's blood. These cells are then genetically modified in the laboratory. A so-called CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) is inserted into them so that the T cell can recognize and attack the cancer cells again. The patient's own immune system is thus used to eliminate the cancer cells. 'The special thing about our CAR-T cell product is that we have developed a CAR based on a natural, body's own binder to the cancer cell,' Bremer says.
The UMCG has been working for some time on producing CAR-T cells itself and treating patients with them. Until now, it has used a CAR developed by other parties. With the KWF grant awarded, UMCG can now treat patients for the first time with CAR-T cells developed and produced entirely at UMCG.
'By producing the CAR-T cells ourselves, we can treat patients with a fresh and rapidly available product. In addition, cancers of T cells are rare and therefore less attractive for commercial parties to develop therapies for. Therefore, it is important that we as UMCG conduct research to develop and produce CAR-T-cell products ourselves for these patients. We expect to start this so-called phase I study in mid-2026.'
If the study is successful, Bremer hopes that the CAR-T-cell product for these patients can be further studied for effectiveness and eventually become available as reimbursed care.
Researcher Oleksandra Ivashchenko received a Young Investigator grant of 841,343.00 euros from KWF for her research into a personalized treatment for people with metastatic prostate cancer.
Men with metastatic prostate cancer for whom hormone therapy no longer works are increasingly receiving a new treatment: [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy. This involves giving them a significant amount of radioactive substance that attaches itself to the tumor cells in their bodies. The radiation given off by the substance kills these cells from within. This therapy often works well: it can temporarily slow the disease and improve quality of life.
But there is one drawback: the radioactive substance can also damage healthy tissue. For now, the treatment is still "one-size-fits-all." Everyone gets the same dose, without knowing whether it's a good fit for that person's situation. This is because we cannot yet accurately predict how the tracer spreads in the body, nor do we know exactly how much radiation each metastasis needs to respond to the treatment.
That's why Ivashchenko is going to study two things: How much radiation is needed per tumor site to have an effect? And can we estimate in advance where the radioactive substance will end up?
The ultimate goal is to personalize the treatment: tailored to the characteristics of the tumor and the patient's body.
