Modifying T- and B-cells for gene therapy

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Modifying T- and B-cells for gene therapy

  • IRAS ID

    291740

  • Contact name

    Ryan Cawood

  • Contact email

    rcawood@oxgene.com

  • Sponsor organisation

    OXGENE

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    RD100187,

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    3 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Using surplus blood provided by the NHS blood and transport service, we will isolate T- and B-cells from peripheral blood and will study how well these are modified with exogenous DNA sequences for cell and gene therapy solutions.
    Immunotherapy has emerged as one of the most promising therapeutic strategies in cancer. Delivery of exogenous DNA sequences can be implemented to produce therapeutic immune cells, such as construction of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells. In addition, B lymphocytes may also represent valuable immune cells that can be engineered for protein replacement therapy or recombinant antibody production. We aim to perform in both T- and B-cells: (1) AAV capsid screens to identify new viral capsids to improve specificity and efficacy for AAV-based immunotherapy treatments; (2) Promoter screens to discover synthetic promoters that drive gene expression with enhanced tissue specific activity; and (3) CRISPR-based functional screens to improve genetically reprogrammed cell-based therapies.

  • REC name

    North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    21/NW/0202

  • Date of REC Opinion

    6 Jul 2021

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion