Sign in Subscribe
Cancer

Novel Immunotherapy Approach Shows Promise in Treating Cancer

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted at the University of Groningen in Groningen, Netherlands, has shed light on a new approach to cancer treatment. The study, which was funded by the Dutch Cancer Society, Maurits en Anna de Kock Stichting, and De Cock-Hadders, has identified a novel fusion protein that efficiently redirects anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) cytotoxic T cells to eliminate cancer cells expressing the CD19 antigen. This approach, known as CD19-ReTARG, has shown to be effective in killing cancer cells while minimizing cytokine-driven toxicities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The novel fusion protein CD19-ReTARG offers a promising alternative strategy for T cell redirection in cancer treatment.
  • CD19-ReTARG efficiently redirects anti-CMV cytotoxic T cells to eliminate CD19-expressing cancer cells, including both established cell lines and primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells.
  • The treatment mediated cytotoxic activity without supraphysiological cytokine release, unlike current immunotherapies.
  • The approach retained efficacy even against cancer cells with low CD19 expression.
  • The research was funded by the Dutch Cancer Society, Maurits en Anna de Kock Stichting, and De Cock-Hadders.
  • The study was conducted at the University of Groningen in Groningen, Netherlands.

Statistics:

  • The study was published in the journal Cancers (2025;17(14):2300).
  • The research was conducted by a team of scientists led by Isabel Britsch from the University of Groningen.
  • The study involved the use of CD19-ReTARGTPR, a novel fusion protein consisting of the immunodominant CMV pp65-derived peptide TPRVTGGAM (TPR) covalently presented by a soluble HLA-B*07:02/b2-microglobulin complex fused to a high-affinity CD19-targeting Fab antibody fragment.
  • The treatment was effective in killing cancer cells without supraphysiological cytokine release, which is a common issue with current immunotherapies.

Sources:

  • "CD19-ReTARGTPR: A Novel Fusion Protein for Physiological Engagement of Anti-CMV Cytotoxic T Cells Against CD19-Expressing Malignancies." Cancers, 2025;17(14):2300.
  • NewsRx. Findings on Cancer Reported by Researchers at University of Groningen (CD19-ReTARGTPR: A Novel Fusion Protein for Physiological Engagement of Anti-CMV Cytotoxic T Cells Against CD19-Expressing Malignancies). Immunotherapy Weekly. August 13, 2025; p 1875.

Read more