Health

By Pesach Benson • May 29, 2025

Jerusalem, 29 May, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israeli scientists have made a major breakthrough that could improve one of the most promising cancer treatments: CAR T-cell therapy. By using nanotechnology inspired by computer chip manufacturing, they have found a way to create longer-lasting and more powerful cancer-fighting immune cells.

CAR T-cell therapy is a cutting-edge cancer treatment that uses a patient’s own immune cells — specifically T cells — to fight cancer more effectively. Doctors collect T cells from the patient’s blood. T cells are white blood cells that help the immune system recognize and attack threats. In a lab, scientists genetically modify these T cells to produce chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their surface. These receptors act like tiny homing devices that allow the T cells to recognize specific proteins (antigens) found on cancer cells. The newly engineered CAR T cells are grown in large numbers until there are enough to treat the patient.

While this treatment has been successful against certain blood cancers, like leukemia and lymphoma, the engineered CAR T cells often lose strength too quickly to keep fighting the disease.

To solve this problem, two research teams from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev looked at how T cells are activated inside the body versus how they’re activated in the lab. One team was led by Prof. Mark Schwartzman from the Department of Materials Engineering, the other was led by Prof. Angel Porgador from the Department of Immunology.

The study found that changing how T cells are activated in the lab can make them much more effective. The findings were recently published in the peer-reviewed journal, Advanced Materials.

“In the lab, we usually use stiff plastic beads to activate T cells,” Porgador said. “But in the body, T cells interact with soft, flexible cells that have tiny, complex structures on their surfaces. We thought mimicking that natural environment could help the T cells stay active longer.”

So, the team created artificial surfaces covered in nanostructures — tiny shapes at the molecular level — that copy the texture of natural cells. These were made using advanced techniques from the chip-making industry, which allowed the researchers to build incredibly small and precise structures.

“When making computer chips, manufacturers use tools that can create features smaller than a millionth of a meter,” explained Schwartzman. “We realized we could use the same tools to build surfaces that talk to cells in a more natural way.”

The results were dramatic. T cells activated on these new surfaces stayed stronger for longer and responded more like they do during real infections in the body. Even better, the team discovered they could fine-tune how strong the response was by changing the shape and stiffness of the nanostructures.

To figure out which surface worked best, the researchers created dozens of different designs and tested them on human cells. With help from bioinformatician Dr. Ofir Cohen, they used computer analysis to sort through huge amounts of data.

“Each person’s cells responded a little differently,” said Porgador. “It was like a competition between surfaces, and we had to find the top performer.”

The best design not only created stronger CAR T cells, but also led to more “central memory” T cells — a special type that lasts longer in the body and provides better long-term protection. In lab tests and animal studies, these enhanced CAR T cells were much better at destroying cancer than those made using current methods.

To bring the technology closer to real-world use, the team developed a cheaper and scalable way to produce the nanostructured surfaces. They’ve already made the first prototypes capable of producing enough cells to treat adult cancer patients.

“This could be a game-changer,” said Schwartzman. “It’s not just about better T cells — it’s about making the whole treatment process stronger and more practical.”

The creation of more resilient, “memory-rich” CAR T cells could lead to this therapy being used to treat solid tumors, particularly lung, breast and pancreatic cancers.

Ben-Gurion University’s cost-effective, scalable method to produce these special nanostructured surfaces would enable hospitals and biotech companies to mass-produce improved CAR T cells at a lower cost, not making only making treatment more available, but faster.