By Brigham and Women’s Hospital & SciTech Daily
Scientists have devised a promising immunotherapeutic approach for treating melanoma brain metastases, offering the potential to significantly improve the survival rate, according to research published in Science Translational Medicine. This innovative therapy involves the use of a ‘twin stem cell model’ whereby one stem cell releases a cancer-killing virus to reduce tumor growth and a second, gene-edited stem cell, immune to the virus, releases proteins to bolster the immune system’s cancer-fighting capabilities.
Acting as a team, twin stem cells activate the immune system to suppress tumor growth and prolong survival in representative preclinical models.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers have developed a ‘twin stem cell model’ therapy to treat melanoma brain metastases. One stem cell releases a tumor-attacking virus while the other, genetically modified to resist the virus, strengthens the immune system. This locally delivered therapy, successful in preclinical mouse models, holds promise for future clinical trials.