Gene and Cell Therapy” “ASGCT 2023: Bridging Science and Compassion
Gene and Cell Therapy
The American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) has once again provided a platform for scientists, physicians, and patient advocates to convene, exchange their most recent discoveries, discuss evolving research trends, and devise strategies to expedite the delivery of innovative therapies to those in need. This year, ASGCT’s annual meeting marks its 26th anniversary, a tradition that consistently brings together the foremost leaders in the fields of cell and gene medicine. In 2023, the conference presents some of the most promising research trends to date, including vector design, solid tumor treatment, advancements in addressing neurodegenerative diseases, and much more.
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Advocating for Patients
While ASGCT is a scientific gathering at its core, it’s essential to acknowledge that the welfare of patients lies at the heart of all research and discussions. Patient access to groundbreaking treatments, though, presents a myriad of challenges. Cell and gene-based therapies are undeniably resource-intensive, and cost is one of the primary barriers to their widespread adoption. The first day of the conference placed a strong emphasis on the necessity of devising strategies to enhance access to these transformative treatments, which many patients currently find financially out of reach.
Regrettably, the American healthcare system has not been known for its swiftness or transparency in pricing. Healthcare providers often lag behind in embracing changes in healthcare modalities, and pricing varies widely across the industry. Nonetheless, there is a clear advantage when healthcare providers proactively work to enhance patient access to pioneering treatments even before federal mandates come into effect. The outcome of such efforts is improved clinical outcomes, which in turn lead to lower long-term costs for both manufacturers and insurers.
In this spirit, patient advocates across the healthcare sector are unwavering in their dedication to finding solutions that benefit all stakeholders. Achieving this delicate balance involves considering financial realities alongside transparency, evidence-based treatment decisions, and the implementation of cost-sharing strategies. Together, these measures can significantly enhance access to life-saving medications.
Cancer Immunotherapy
Cancer immunotherapy has been at the forefront of medical innovation ever since the approval of the first CAR T-cell therapy, Kymriah®, in 2017. Today, an astounding 2,756 cancer immunotherapy agents are undergoing clinical testing around the globe. The most recent generations of CAR T therapies introduce a range of design updates aimed at enhancing crucial factors, including transfection efficiency, efficacy against solid tumors, the minimization of off-target effects, and the prolongation of therapeutic action.
The Tuesday morning session on immune effector cells showcased clinical research on the latest generation of CAR T cell treatments, CAR NK cells, CAR M (macrophage) cells, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and the latest TCR-based approaches. Some noteworthy presentations from this session include:
- Stephanie Goff, a surgical oncologist at the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), presented groundbreaking research on using TILs to combat metastatic breast cancer. This innovative treatment involves adoptive cell therapy using patient tumor-derived lymphocytes, which are reintroduced into the patient after modification. Phase 2 clinical trials are underway to assess the effectiveness of this approach in combination with the drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda), which blocks the effects of PD-1, a protein used by cancer cells as a protective mechanism.
- Michael Klichinsky of Carisma Therapeutics presented findings from the first-in-human trial of donor-derived CAR-Macrophages for the treatment of HER2 overexpressing solid tumors.
- Sneha Ramakrishna of Stanford University shared her team’s work on the treatment of brainstem tumors. Their phase 1 clinical trial relies on using CAR T cells targeted against GD2, a protein highly expressed on brainstem-associated glioma cells.
Other Leading Research Trends
While cancer prevention and treatment continue to be top priorities in the medical field, ASGCT’s 2023 conference demonstrates that these are by no means the sole areas of focus. Research into neurodegenerative diseases and neuromuscular disorders has gained significant momentum this year. Scientists and researchers recognize the urgent need to develop new medications and treatment modalities for these debilitating illnesses. Here are a few highlights from these emerging areas of focus:
- Krystof Bankiewicz presented research on developing viral vector-based gene therapies for movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. This innovative approach aims to investigate whether gene transfer can help deliver essential proteins to areas of the brain damaged by Parkinson’s disease.
- Clive Svendsen discussed a combined cell and gene therapy approach being explored for the treatment of ALS.
- Alice Huang described her team’s work on regenerative and non-regenerative healing of musculoskeletal tissues, with a particular focus on deriving tendon progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells.
- Alexandra Piotrowski-Daspit gave a presentation on the use of a systemic nanoparticle delivery system to restore lung function for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
Manufacturing and Development
The manufacturing and development of cell and gene therapies present unique challenges due to the remarkable ability of living cells to respond to their environment. To create a consistent and effective product, every step of the process must be meticulously optimized. During the conference, Nucleus Biologics showcased NB-ROC™ T-cell culture media in a poster presentation, illustrating how culture media and supplements can enhance CAR transduction efficiency, ultimately resulting in more effective CAR T cell products.
Furthermore, Nucleus Biologics’ partner, the Center for Breakthrough Medicines (CBM), also seized the opportunity to highlight their expertise during the Thursday afternoon sessions. CBM proudly hosted a symposium on how innovative products and digitization can streamline supply chain workflows and accelerate the development and commercial production transition of cell and gene therapies. CBM is an early adopter of KrakatoaTM, Nucleus Biologics’ point-of-use cell culture media maker, a relatively new technology poised to significantly reduce the overall cost and environmental impact of the cell culture media industry.
Nucleus Biologics stands at the forefront of a paradigm shift in the role that cell culture media play in improving the critical quality attributes of advanced medicines. Their commitment to AI-guided media customization translates to therapeutic success, ensuring that patients receive the most effective treatments while also driving down costs and minimizing environmental impact. To learn more, visit their website.
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In summary, ASGCT 2023 has provided a stage for the latest developments in gene and cell therapy, showcasing the dedication of scientists, physicians, and patient advocates to revolutionize healthcare and deliver life-changing treatments to those who need them most. The conference has spotlighted key trends in cancer immunotherapy, neurodegenerative disease research, and the challenges and opportunities in manufacturing and development. With patient advocacy as the guiding force, the future of gene and cell therapy holds immense promise, offering hope to patients and their families. The commitment to innovation, accessibility, and quality will undoubtedly shape the future of healthcare, making transformative therapies available to all
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