Researchers recognized for innovation in cellular immunotherapy
A research project by i3S researchers Salomé Pinho and Catarina Azevedo, from the Immunology, Cancer & GlycoMedicine group, was awarded a health research prize worth €5,000 as part of the second edition of the Emerging Talents Research Projects Award, organised by the TRANSFIRESAÚDE project.
The award-winning research takes an innovative approach to cellular immunotherapy for the treatment of solid tumours through the development of a new generation of Glyco-CAR-T cells. These therapies have revolutionised the treatment of various blood cancers, but their application in solid tumours continues to face significant limitations.
One of the main obstacles to the efficacy of CAR-T therapies in solid tumours is the tumour microenvironment. It’s highly immunosuppressive and promotes the exhaustion and dysfunction of T cells - the white blood cells essential for fighting the tumour.
To address this challenge, the project proposes genetically reprogramming the glycosylation (a layer of complex sugars) of CAR-T cells through editing the MGAT5 gene, which governs cellular glycosylation. By modifying the sugar composition on the surface of these immune cells, the team aims to make them more resistant to the tumor microenvironment and more effective in destroying the tumor.
According to the researchers, “the recognition of this project, still at a stage of technological development, reinforces confidence in the scientific potential and clinical application of the work.” For Catarina Azevedo, this award recognises not only the scientific excellence of the work carried out in the group led by Salomé Pinho, but also an important incentive for translational research with real impact on clinical practice.
The award is part of the TRANSFIRESAÚDE project, which promotes the transfer of knowledge from biomedical research to the market. It also seeks to better integrate the health research and innovation ecosystem in the Euro area, with a particular focus on the challenges of active and healthy ageing and personalised medicine. In Portugal, the project is led by Hugo Prazeres, coordinator of the i3S Research Innovation Unit.
