Medical researchers advance immunotherapy for leukemia and multiple sclerosis

Researchers have reported significant advancements in immunotherapy through two distinct approaches targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases.

In Taiwan, scientists led by Gilbert Aaron Lee of Taipei Medical University discovered that exposing natural killer (NK) cells to interleukin-15 (IL-15) expands a specific subpopulation of cells with high cytotoxicity against leukemia. In animal models with melanoma, the adoptive transfer of these cells reduced tumor volume by one-third within six days and improved the tumor microenvironment by increasing the ratio of effector T cells to immunosuppressive T cells.

Separately, experts from Guangzhou Medical University have developed a 3D-printed artificial lymph node designed to treat multiple sclerosis. The hydrogel scaffold provides a protected niche for tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDC), preventing them from being lost in inflamed natural lymph nodes. In mouse models of autoimmune encephalomyelitis, this artificial node promoted stable regulatory T cell populations, suppressed inflammatory B cells, and led to disease remission, even in advanced stages.