Characteristics
A co-culture system integrating regulatory T cells (Tregs), effector T cells, and cancer organoids enables the evaluation of compounds that influence Treg activity. This approach provides a powerful platform to assess drugs that modulate immune suppression within the tumor microenvironment.
Process
- We developed tumor organoids incorporating key elements of the tumor microenvironment to serve as a platform for drug evaluation. To achieve this, tumor organoids, cytotoxic T cells, and regulatory T cells were co-cultured at defined ratios.
- T cells were first activated from PBMCs, then cytotoxic and regulatory subsets were isolated, cultured, and quantified separately. After establishing the co-culture system, we evaluated the efficacy of immuno-oncology agents under controlled conditions.
- We compared the commonly used immuno-oncology drug atezolizumab with candidate.
- When T cells alone or cytotoxic T cells and regulatory T cells were added, we examined the effect of each immuno-oncology drug.
- Only in the case of co-culture with regulatory T cells, the efficacy of the drug decreased rapidly.
- This is a result of regulatory T cells inducing T cell suppression during co-culture.
- These results prove that our solution can most similarly simulate the tumor microenvironment consisting of tumor organoids, cytotoxic T cells and regulatory T cells.
- Screen and accurately evaluate anti-cancer drugs targeting regulatory T cells using our validated solution that closely resembles the in vivo tumor microenvironment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Regulatory T Cells (Tregs)?
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a specialized subset of CD4+ T cells that maintain immune homeostasis by suppressing excessive immune activation. They play a critical role in preventing autoimmunity and modulating the immune response within the tumor microenvironment.
Why are Tregs important in cancer research?
In many tumors, Tregs accumulate in the microenvironment and suppress cytotoxic immune responses, enabling tumor immune evasion. Studying Treg function and dynamics helps researchers understand mechanisms of immune suppression and develop strategies to enhance anti-tumor immunity.
What advantages do Lambda Biologics’ Treg models provide?
Lambda Biologics’ Regulatory T cell models are derived and characterized for functional activity and immune-suppressive capacity. When integrated with patient-derived organoids or immune co-culture systems, they offer a physiologically relevant platform to study immune regulation and evaluate immunomodulatory therapies.