AMSBIO have supplied custom Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T products to the University of Strathclyde (UoS) in Glasgow, UK, and ScreenIn3D Ltd, allowing them to perform novel immune-oncology assays in 3D microfluidic cancer models.
CAR-T cells are genetically modified T-cells used to find and kill cancer cells by targeting specific cancer-associated proteins, or antigens. CAR-T cell therapy is highly effective against haematological malignancies, but faces challenges in solid tumours due to the immunosuppressive effects of the tumour microenvironment. Often, combination therapies, such chemotherapy and checkpoint blockage, are used with CAR-T to improve efficacy.
To investigate CAR-T efficacy, their off-target cytotoxicity and synergistic effects when used in combination assays, UoS and ScreenIn3D researchers developed novel miniaturised screening assays that use very small amounts of CAR-T cells in 3D complex in vitro models of solid tumours on a chip.
Top left: ONCO-Chip 3D microfluidic plate. Top right: time sequence showing CAR-T cells interacting with 3D tumour models. Bottom: schematic and microscopy images of CAR-T killing cancer cells only (unlabeled) in different combination treatments.
This exciting technological advance by UoS and ScreenIn3D researchers is described in detail in a recently published technical article – see https://bit.ly/3iASDy0
AMSBIO offers a custom service that enables researchers to take advantage of the astonishing clinical breakthroughs achieved with CAR-T cells in various haematological malignancies. Drawing upon its expertise in monoclonal antibody development (rabbit and mouse), AMSBIO can help you design, plan and execute your CAR-T study, whether you are in the preclinical, clinical or proof of concept stage. The AMSBIO CAR-T platform is highly adaptable to your needs and starting materials, allowing you to start with a target molecule (Phase I) or antibody (Phase II). As part of their custom CAR-T development service, AMSBIO construct the single chain variable fragment (ScFv), transfer it into a CAR lentivector of your choice, make lentivirus and transduce activated human (or mouse) T cells. After the CAR-T cells proliferate, the cytotoxicity is measured in a real time assay, CAR expression analysed and cytokine production quantified. For further information please visit https://www.amsbio.com/car-t-cell-research/ or contact AMSBIO on+44-1235-828200 / +1-617-945-5033 / [email protected].
Founded in 2018 – ScreenIn3D is a start-up company based in the Technology and Innovation Centre at the University of Strathclyde, UK. ScreenIn3D utilises the latest advances in microfluidics and 3D culture to develop a unique microfluidic screening platform. Using its propriety ONCO-Chip 3D technology – ScreenIn3D is able to offer high quality pre-clinical screening services to biotech and pharmaceutical companies with interest in developing new oncology assays. For further information please visit https://screenin3d.com/
Founded in 1987, AMS Biotechnology (AMSBIO) is recognized today as a leading transatlantic company contributing to the acceleration of discovery through the provision of cutting-edge life science technology, products and services for research and development in the medical, nutrition, cosmetics and energy industries. AMSBIO has in-depth expertise in extracellular matrices to provide elegant solutions for studying cell motility, migration, invasion and proliferation. This expertise in cell culture and the ECM allows AMSBIO to partner with clients in tailoring cell systems to enhance organoid and spheroid screening outcomes using a variety of 3D culture systems, including organ-on-a-chip microfluidics. For drug discovery research, AMSBIO offers assays, recombinant proteins and cell lines. Drawing upon a huge and comprehensive biorepository, AMSBIO is widely recognised as a leading provider of high-quality tissue specimens (including custom procurement) from both human and animal tissues. The company provides unique clinical grade products for stem cell and cell therapy applications these include high quality solutions for viral delivery (lentivirus, adenovirus and adeno-associated virus) in addition to GMP cryopreservation technology.
