About ALKemist Bio
T-Cell Receptor cell (TCR-T cells) therapy represents a revolutionary approach in the fight against solid cancers. Traditional treatments often fall short in addressing the complexities of these malignancies, but TCR-T cell therapy offers a promising solution.
At ALKemist Bio we are developing TCR-T cells that possess the ability to specifically target ALK antigens found on ALK-positive cancer cells, primarily focusing on non-small cell lung cancer patients. By harnessing the power of the immune system and engineering T cells to precisely recognize and combat these cancerous cells, we aim to pave the way for more effective treatments aiming at improving the standard of care.
Nature Cancer July 2023: Image courtesy of Roberto Chiarle. Cover design: Allen Beattie
TCR-T cell therapy, or T-cell receptor-engineered T cell therapy, is a cutting-edge immunotherapy approach designed to harness the patient's own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. Here's how it works:
01
Collection of T Cells
The process begins with the extraction of T cells from the patient's blood through a procedure called leukapheresis. These T cells are a type of white blood cell and play a vital role in the immune system's defense against infections and diseases.
02
Isolation and Modification
Once the T cells are collected, they are isolated and modified in the laboratory. Scientists use genetic engineering techniques to introduce a specific T-cell receptor (TCR) into these cells: ALK-001. ALK-001 is engineered to recognize a particular antigen or protein found on the surface of cancer cells, which is specific to the patient's type of cancer. In the case of ALKemist Bio, they aim to create TCR-T cells that recognize ALK antigens on ALK-positive cancer cells.
03
Expansion and Growth
After modification, the T cells are grown and multiplied in large numbers, creating a significant population of TCR-T cells that are now programmed to target the cancer-specific antigen.
04
Infusion
The expanded and modified TCR-T cells are then infused back into the patient's bloodstream. These engineered T cells are now armed with the ability to recognize and bind to the specific cancer antigen.
05
Targeting Cancer Cells
Once in the bloodstream, the TCR-T cells circulate throughout the body, seeking out and identifying cancer cells that express the targeted antigen. When a TCR-T cell encounters a cancer cell with the matching antigen, it binds to the cancer cell's surface.
