Lecture Notes: Rare Cell Collection and Immunotherapy

Introduction

• Research Focus: Developing systems to find, collect, and profile rare human cells (one in a million).
• Potential: These cells could be critical in treating diseases, notably cancer.

Core Idea

• Objective: Identify rare, disease-fighting cells in the human bloodstream.
• Cancer Application: Discover immune cells that can recognize and eradicate cancer cells.

Technological Challenges

• Initial Limitation: Processing speed was 1 million cells per hour, unsuitable for 25 billion cells in a blood tube.
• Breakthrough: Developed a system to process a billion cells per hour, completing analysis in one day.

Applications of the Technology

• Disease Markers: Identifying cells indicative of diseases.
• Human Biology: Gaining insights into biological processes.
• Cancer Treatment: Focusing on rare immune cells to develop new treatments.

Immunotherapy

• Mechanism: Uses the body's immune system to fight diseases like cancer.
• Action: Immune cells patrol and eliminate diseased cells.
• Challenges: Mixed patient responses and high treatment costs.

Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) Therapy

• Process: TILs are collected from tumor tissues, expanded in labs, and reinfused into the patient.
• Success: Effective especially in melanoma; some patients become tumor-free.
• Limitations: Complex manufacturing, mixed outcomes, and applicability issues for non-accessible tumors.

New Approach: Circulating Tumor Reactive Lymphocytes (cTRLs)

• Concept: Immune cells may travel from tumors to the bloodstream.
• Method: Using high throughput processing to identify these cells in blood.
• Findings in Mice: Successful therapy leading to disappearance of tumors.
• Application to Humans: Similar cells found in human samples, capable of killing tumor cells.

Implications and Future Directions

• Advantages: No surgery needed, applicable to more types of tumors, potential for consistent and cost-effective treatment.
• Ongoing Research: Clinical trials and regulatory approval processes are underway.
• Goal: Using a patient's own blood to develop effective cancer treatments.

Conclusion

• Prospects: Potential for significant advancements in cancer therapy.
• Research Team's Role: Continual efforts in rare cell discovery are showing promise in treating cancer.