New Branched Polymer Balls Help Get Genetic Blueprints Inside T-Cells for Blood Cancer Therapy; Designer Polyion Complexes Promise Next-Gen Gene Carriers for CAR T-Cell Therapy

Scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University have realized a new polymer that can effectively transport plasmid DNA into T-cells during chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, a key treatment for blood cancer. Importantly, the polymers can get genes into floating T-cells, not only ones fixed to surfaces. The polymer is stable, non-toxic, and doesn’t use viruses. It outperforms polyion compounds considered a gold standard in the field, paving the way for new therapies.