The early success of CAR-T cell therapies in treating some forms of blood cancer has sent oncology researchers on a quest to develop the technology to address a range of tumor types. But the risk that the modified immune cells could cause the potentially deadly side effect known as cytokine release syndrome has prompted an equally enthusiastic effort in the research community to find innovative ways to combat that problem.
London-based startup Auxolytic is developing “safety switches” for cell therapy that hinge on depriving them of nutrients they need to survive.