Immune System and New Therapeutic Solutions Against Cancer

Primary immune deficiencies (PIDs) encompass over 400 rare, chronic disorders characterized by the improper functioning or absence of components of the immune system. These conditions increase susceptibility to infections, autoimmune diseases, and malignancies.¹

Globally, PIDs significantly impact mortality and morbidity rates, especially in regions lacking access to early diagnosis and adequate medical care. Individuals with PIDs often endure recurrent infections, prolonged illnesses, and complications that can lead to chronic health problems or premature death.

While early detection and advanced treatments have improved outcomes in well-resourced areas, disparities in healthcare access continue to pose significant challenges worldwide. Raising awareness, enhancing diagnostic tools, and implementing comprehensive management strategies are crucial steps in reducing the burden of PIDs and improving the quality of life for those affected.

Diagnosis of PIDs

Diagnosing PIDs involves a comprehensive evaluation, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, and a series of specialized laboratory tests. These tests typically include complete blood counts, immunoglobulin measurements, and assessments of immune cell function. Advanced genetic testing may also be employed to identify specific mutations associated with various PIDs.

Flow Cytometry in PID Diagnosis

Flow cytometry is a powerful diagnostic tool used to identify and characterize PIDs. This technique enables detailed analysis of individual cells within a heterogeneous population, providing critical information about the presence, quantity, and functional status of various immune cell types. By utilizing specific antibodies tagged with fluorescent dyes, flow cytometry can detect surface and intracellular markers indicative of immune cell subpopulations, such as T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells.

Flow cytometry’s ability to deliver rapid, accurate, and detailed immune profiling makes it invaluable in the diagnosis and management of PIDs, guiding treatment decisions and monitoring disease progression.

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences and Flow Cytometry

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences has a longstanding history in the field of flow cytometry, marked by innovation and contributions that have significantly advanced biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. Over the years, we have strengthened our expertise in flow cytometry, becoming a key player in the development of sophisticated cytometry technologies.

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences has introduced numerous state-of-the-art flow cytometers, reagents, and software solutions, facilitating high-throughput, high-precision, and reproducible cellular analysis. This has been instrumental in advancing research in immuno-oncology, as well as in clinical diagnostics in immunology and hematology.

CAR-T Cell Therapy

In this context, recent advances in cell and gene therapy—especially Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy—have emerged as innovative and promising solutions for certain types of blood cancers where conventional treatments have failed.

The identification, genetic modification, multiplication, and infusion of the desired immune cells (donor T cells genetically converted to CAR-T cells) enable the destruction of malignant cells, offering a highly personalized and potent treatment option. This therapy has shown remarkable success in treating certain types of blood cancers, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

CAR-T cell therapy exemplifies the potential of cell and gene therapy to revolutionize cancer treatment by harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight disease, paving the way for new therapeutic strategies and offering hope to patients with otherwise limited options.

Manufacturing and Quality Control of CAR-T

The manufacturing of CAR-T cells requires several weeks and involves various techniques, including those related to quality control. For instance, flow cytometry is a key tool used to assess the quality (viability and quantity of naïve T cells) of the primary material (blood collected from patients), verify CAR expression, test the functionality of the cells to be infused, and monitor the persistence of CAR-T cells in the blood post-infusion.

Flow cytometry solutions developed by Beckman Coulter Life Sciences bring precision and rigor to this process. These include flow cytometers for cell analysis and sorting, reagents such as dry antibody mixes, and related software.

References

1. https://www.cdc.gov/primary-immunodeficiency/about/index.html