Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have unveiled a new technology that could radically cut the cost of CAR-T cell therapy, making this powerful cancer treatment more accessible. The new device, CAPGLO, short for “capture and glow”, uses magnetic fields and fluorescent imaging to harvest T cells from a small blood sample.
Traditional CAR-T therapy requires leukapheresis, a complex and expensive process that involves filtering several liters of a patient’s blood. CAPGLO, by contrast, can isolate T cells from just a half-pint of blood, the amount typically collected during a blood donation. The process is designed to take under an hour, preserving cell viability and significantly reducing costs.
CAPGLO works by coating magnetic beads with proteins that bind specifically to T cells. These tagged cells are then separated using a magnet and visualized under a microscope. Once isolated, the beads are removed, leaving T cells ready for genetic modification to attack cancer.
When combined with an ultrafast CAR-T manufacturing method developed previously at Case Western, the process could reduce costs by up to 95%, from hundreds of thousands of dollars to potentially a few hundred.
This innovation has already shown promising results in clinical trials, with 13 out of 14 patients entering complete remission. Researchers aim to make CAPGLO compact and affordable enough for widespread use in labs and hospitals worldwide.
If successful, this technology could transform CAR-T therapy from a last resort into a first-line option, offering hope to more patients, faster and at a fraction of the cost.
Article written by Inside precision medicine team
29/05/2025
Source:
Inside precision medicine