USC Scientists Develop Breakthrough "Living Drug" To Combat Cancer & HIV

In a groundbreaking advancement, scientists at the University of Southern California (USC) have developed a revolutionary technique to transform the body’s B cells into powerful surveillance machines and antibody factories, capable of targeting and destroying cancer cells and HIV. This research, recently published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, marks a significant step forward in the fight against some of medicine's most challenging diseases.

The innovative approach involves gene editing immune cells called B cells to enhance their ability to combat even the most elusive pathogens. This method has the potential to harness antibodies for treating a wide range of conditions, from Alzheimer’s disease to arthritis.

“In some diseases or conditions, the natural antibodies made by B cells are just not good enough,” explained Paula Cannon, senior author and Distinguished Professor of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “HIV is a prime example, constantly mutating to evade antibodies. Our strategy is to program B cells to produce a broadly effective antibody that HIV cannot easily evade,"added Paula.

This adaptable technique can be customised to generate various antibodies, offering a versatile solution for multiple medical challenges.

“It’s a technology for reprogramming B cells that could be applied to almost anything you can imagine dealing with an antibody,” said Geoffrey Rogers, first author and senior postdoctoral fellow in Cannon’s lab. “We believe we can fully customise the antibodies.”

Inspired by the success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, which have revolutionised blood cancer treatment, the USC team applied a similar concept to B cells. Unlike T cells, B cells reside long-term in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen, ready to act when needed, making them ideal for combating chronic conditions.

Using CRISPR gene editing, Cannon and Rogers inserted instructions for custom antibodies directly into the B cell’s DNA, enabling the cells to produce these antibodies naturally. These reprogrammed B cells can also be stimulated to increase antibody production in response to vaccination.

The efficacy of the custom antibodies was observed using tonsil tissue to replicate an immune system in a controlled environment.

USC is now working with the USC Stevens Center for Innovation to commercialise this technology. The centre plays a crucial role in transitioning scientific discoveries from the lab to the market.

“We’re excited to help bring this to biotech companies,” said Erin Overstreet, executive director of the USC Stevens Center. “This technology could fundamentally shift how we approach the treatment of certain diseases.”

With this breakthrough, USC scientists have opened new avenues for the development of targeted therapies, offering hope for more effective treatments for cancer, HIV, and potentially other chronic diseases.