Patent Discloses Method to Enhance Immune Cell-Based Therapies for Cancer and Infectious Diseases

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from George Washington University have developed a method to modulate gene expression in immune cells, allowing for the enhancement of immune effector processes in cancer and infectious disease treatments. The patent details a compound that can be used to treat subjects with cancer, aiming to stimulate immune responses and facilitate cytolytic activity. The method involves contacting isolated immune cells with the compound for a pre-determined time, followed by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the treated cells to the subject.

Key Takeaways:

  • The patent describes a method for modulating gene expression in immune cells using a compound of formula I, which can be used to treat subjects with cancer and infectious diseases.
  • The method encompasses ex vivo treatment of isolated immune cells with the compound, resulting in an immune cell that elevates at least one immune effector process when compared to a native immune cell.
  • The immune cell can express elevated levels of genes that contribute to immune effector processes, such as interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) like Fas Ligand (FasL), perforin, and granzyme.
  • The method is claimed to be effective in treating subjects with cancer, with administers an effective amount of the treated immune cells to the subject.
  • The pre-determined time of treatment can range from about 1 week to about 6 weeks, and the method can involve isolating immune cells from allogeneic peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, and other sources.
  • The claims provided by the inventors specify that the method can be used to treat subjects with a variety of cancers, including those with graft-versus-host disease and induction of transplant tolerance.

Statistics:

  • The compound can elevate at least one immune effector process by about 50% compared to native immune cells.
  • The each immune cell can express at least one gene that contributes to an immune effector process by about 50% compared to native immune cells.
  • The method can be effective in treating subjects with cancer, with a focus on enhancing immune responses and facilitating cytolytic activity.
  • The claims provide specific information on the treatment duration and the sources of isolated immune cells.

Sources:

  • Bosque-Pardos, Alberto. Targeting STAT sumoylation to enhance immune responses. U.S. Patent Number 12441693, filed December 17, 2020, and published online on October 14, 2025.