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SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

CAR-T cells SEAK help from enzymes

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells) are often hindered by the concurrent challenges of variable antigen expression patterns and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. A new approach enhances CAR-T cells by coexpressing bacterial enzymes that activate prodrugs in high concentrations at the disease site.

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Fig. 1: 'SEAKER' cells for dual-mode tumor lysis.

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Correspondence to Tal Danino.

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Vincent, R., Danino, T. CAR-T cells SEAK help from enzymes. Nat Chem Biol 18, 122–123 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-021-00933-0

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