{"id":30902,"date":"2024-08-19T17:12:27","date_gmt":"2024-08-19T15:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imagineformargo.org\/?p=30902"},"modified":"2024-08-19T17:12:27","modified_gmt":"2024-08-19T15:12:27","slug":"targeting-pediatric-brain-tumors-with-o-acetyl-gd2-specific-car-t-lymphocytes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imagineformargo.org\/en\/targeting-pediatric-brain-tumors-with-o-acetyl-gd2-specific-car-t-lymphocytes\/","title":{"rendered":"Targeting Pediatric Brain Tumors with O-Acetyl-GD2-specific CAR T Lymphocytes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Cancers<\/h2>\n

Childhood Brain Cancers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Brain tumors<\/a> are the most common solid tumors in children. The annual estimated number of new cases is about 30 per million for all childhood brain tumors. Gliomas<\/a> encompass tumors of the central nervous system, which differ based on the brain’s original cell types (astrocytes or oligodendrocytes or both) and their aggressiveness levels (from least to most aggressive: low-grade glioma, anaplastic glioma, and high-grade gliomas).<\/p>\n

Low-grade gliomas (benign) are more common in younger children, while malignant gliomas affect older children or adolescents. These tumors include forms with very good prognoses, such as pilocytic astrocytoma, and diseases that are more challenging to treat, such as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.<\/p>\n

Learn more about gliomas: link to gliomas article<\/p>\n

About the Project<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Primary brain tumors have the worst prognosis among pediatric tumors, with current treatment based on radiotherapy and chemotherapy because these tumors are often inoperable. These treatments, rarely curative, induce toxicity due to the sensitivity of this vital organ. The refractory nature of brain tumors to current treatments necessitates urgently developing new therapeutic approaches to improve patients’ quality of life and life expectancy.<\/p>\n

Dr. Fougeray’s work fully aligns with these therapeutic innovation programs aimed at increasing treatment efficacy while reducing side effects. Cellular therapy based on genetically modified T lymphocytes to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) has recently been proposed (CAR-T Cells). These drug cells are capable of recognizing and destroying cancer cells and have shown effectiveness in treating chemotherapy-refractory leukemias. However, they need to be optimized for solid tumors given the tumor’s immunosuppressive microenvironment.<\/p>\n

The use of a subtype of T lymphocytes, V\u03b39V\u03b42, targeting the O-acetylated GD2 ganglioside, could represent an effective therapeutic solution while minimizing toxic effects. To conduct a Phase I clinical trial, the project’s objective is to establish preclinical proof of concept of the anti-tumor efficacy of V\u03b39V\u03b42 CAR-T cells targeting pediatric brain tumors, especially high-grade gliomas with a very bleak prognosis.<\/p>\n

Project Progress:<\/strong><\/h2>\n