Concetta Quintarelli – VJRegenMed

NK-CAR immunotherapy: where are we now?

admin_vjr_user — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 14:08:27 +0000

Natural killer (NK) cells are an essential component of the innate immune system and can provide a valuable source of allogeneic adoptive therapy. Concetta Quintarelli, PhD, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy, discusses the generation of allogeneic CAR products, in particular CAR NK-cells. Prof. Quintarelli reveals that using bioreactors, her group has generated up to 300 doses of CAR NK-cells. Although the transition from autologous to allogeneic products is challenging, especially the manufacturing process, the group is now generating the NK-cell banks for both hematological malignancies and solid tumors. This interview took place during the 3rd European CAR T-cell Meeting.

The journey of CAR-T therapy from hematological malignancies to solid tumors

admin_vjr_user — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 14:08:27 +0000

Concetta Quintarelli, PhD, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy, discusses the journey of CAR-T therapy from hematological malignancies to solid tumor treatment in the pediatric setting. Patients with solid tumors, in particular high-risk relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma, are being enrolled in a CAR-T program. Results from the trial show a significant improvement in the outcomes of patients. Prof. Quintarelli highlights the need to optimize the CAR-T construct and the manufacturing process to generate CAR T-cells able to penetrate the solid mass and overcome the inhibitory microenvironment. This interview took place during the 3rd European CAR T-cell Meeting.