The latest work of our researchers published in Leukemia

Publication: Leukemia – CAR-T cells directed to LILRB1

We are pleased to share our recent study on novel chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting LILRB1, a promising new treatment strategy to improve immunotherapy for leukemia and potentially other hematologic malignancies. The research was carried out by the Polish-Norwegian consortium of the Medical University of Warsaw and Oslo University Hospital within the ALTERCAR project funded by the National Centre for Research and Development. It was led by Dr. Magdalena Winiarska and Dr. Małgorzata Firczuk from the Department of Immunology, MMRI. Other MMRI researchers participating in the project include Dr. Katsiaryna Marhelava, Msc. Marta Krawczyk, and Dr. Iwona Baranowska. The project also involved collaborations with institutions and hospitals in Poland and abroad, including the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland; the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Warsaw, Poland; the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland; and the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.

In this study, we identified LILRB1 as a novel target on leukemia and lymphoma cells, and developed LILRB1-directed CAR-T cells. LILRB1 CAR-T cells offer a promising therapeutic opportunity for patients with B-cell malignancies who  relapse after prior immunotherapies. In particular, this therapy may become a solution for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients with CD19-negative relapses and lineage switching. The implementation of LILRB1 CAR-T cells may also extend beyond B-cell malignancies, offering hope for patients with monocytic leukemias and potentially providing a safer treatment option for acute myeloid leukemia, with reduced myelotoxicity compared to other currently tested CAR-T therapies.