Slovenian researchers develop ultrasound-mediated control of genetically modified cells
Ljubljana, 29 August - Researchers at the National Institute of Chemistry have developed a therapeutic cellular device that responds to ultrasound, an innovation that could enable more precise, non-invasive, rapid and targeted treatments, including for certain cancers, especially in hard-to-reach places deep in tissues.
Ljubljana
A team of Slovenian researchers at the National Institute of Chemistry has developed an ultrasound cell device that could help better treat diseases, including cancer.
Photo: nature.com
Precise control of cells in deep tissues remains a major challenge, while ultrasound represents a promising solution for therapeutic application as it allows non-invasive stimulation of cells with high precision, the institute explained.
The researchers used pulsed ultrasound to regulate calcium uptake in mammalian cells, developing a therapeutic cellular device that responds to acoustic stimulation deep in the tissues.
The research builds on a previously published method in which the addition of protein gas vesicles improved the responsiveness of cells to the ultrasound.
The researchers have genetically modified human cells so that they express a therapeutic agent, forming a therapeutic cellular device.
The innovative method alleviated the symptoms of acute colitis, which in turn highlights the possibility of precise, non-invasive and targeted cell therapy.
This discovery has the potential to improve ultrasound therapy, which could also treat certain types of cancer more effectively.
Currently known is CAR-T cell therapy, an advanced form of immunotherapy where a patient's own cells are genetically modified to fight cancer cells more effectively.
However, the disadvantage of this therapy is that the modified cells are activated throughout the body.
But using ultrasound, the genetically modified cells could be activated only at the target site in the body.
Ultrasound therapy is also more patient-friendly as it allows non-invasive activation of cells remotely, the institute said.
Researchers Filip Ivanovski, Maja Meško, Tina Lebar, Marko Rupnik, Duško Lainšček, Miha Gradišek, Roman Jerala and Mojca Benčina published their findings in the scientific journal Nature Communications.