SRINAGAR: Areej Akhtar, a PhD research scholar at Jamia Millia Islamia University’s Multidisciplinary Centre for Advanced Research and Studies (MCARS), has been awarded the inaugural Carl June CAR-TCR Summit Travel Award for her pioneering work in enhancing CAR T cell therapy. The award, presented by Dr Carl June, a leader in the field of CAR T cell therapy, was given at the prestigious summit held in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Akhtar’s research, titled “Bioengineering the Metabolic Network of CAR T-Cells to Increase Persistence and Long-Term Anti-Tumor Activity,” addresses one of the major limitations of CAR T cell therapy — the reduced lifespan of these engineered immune cells, which can lead to cancer recurrence. By reprogramming the metabolic pathways of CAR T cells using GLP-1 peptide, Akhtar’s team has successfully increased their persistence and anti-tumour activity. This breakthrough offers a promising solution to improve the long-term effectiveness of this revolutionary cancer treatment, which has already benefited over 35,000 patients globally.
Akhtar spent three years screening over 3,000 molecular combinations to identify the one that optimises CAR T cell function. Her patented bioengineering innovation, developed with her supervisor, Dr. Tanveer Ahmad, has the potential to not only enhance cancer treatment outcomes but also make the therapy more affordable. Currently, CAR T cell therapy costs around Rs 4 to Rs 5 crore, but Akhtar’s research aims to lower these costs, making life-saving treatments accessible to more patients.
Professor Mohammad Husain, Director of MCARS, praised Akhtar’s achievement, stating, “This award is a testament to the world-class research being conducted at Jamia Millia Islamia. Scholars like Areej Akhtar are making the university proud with their contributions to global healthcare.”
Akhtar’s research is under peer review for publication and is expected to make a significant impact on the future of cancer treatment.