USC Engineers Self-Renewing GMPs for CAR-M Therapy, Slowing Tumors in Mice

2 articles · Updated · ScienceAlert · Jul 4

USC researchers engineered granulocyte-monocyte progenitors to self-renew in the lab and generate cancer-fighting macrophages, creating a scalable source for CAR-M cell therapy.
Using staged chemical cues in mouse and human GMPs, the team overcame a major bottleneck in macrophage therapy: mature macrophages are hard to expand, engineer, freeze and store.
In mice with blood cancers and solid tumors, the engineered GMPs produced a steady supply of macrophages and other immune cells, spread through the body and slowed tumor progression.
The Cell study suggests engineering immune-cell progenitors—not just mature cells or better CAR receptors—could improve immunotherapy, particularly where CAR-T has struggled against solid tumors.

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USC Scientists Engineer Self-Renewing Macrophage Progenitors for CAR-M Cancer Therapy

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Scientists at University of Southern California and Stanford University have figured out how to grow an unlimited supply of cancer-fighting immune cells in the lab. And the implications could be huge. The

Scientists created an 'endless supply' of cancer-killing cells. Could this breakthrough finally be the key to conquering solid tumors?

This lab-grown immune therapy works in mice, but what are the unforeseen safety risks before it can reach human patients?

Self-Renewing GMPs Enable Scalable Off-the-Shelf CAR-Macrophage Immunotherapy: A Breakthrough for Solid Tumors and Immune Deficiencies

Overview

Scientists at USC Stem Cell and collaborators have developed a new method to generate a renewable, self-renewing supply of granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (GMPs), marking a major advance in cell therapy. This breakthrough addresses the long-standing challenge of limited and complex production of key cell types, which has restricted the reach of cell-based immunotherapies. By providing a consistent and scalable source of GMPs, the new approach promises to overcome manufacturing bottlenecks and expand access to advanced treatments. Preclinical studies in mice show that these engineered GMPs can integrate into the body, paving the way for more accessible and effective immunotherapies.

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