Scientists from the University of Gdańsk, working under the project “Science for Social Good, Innovation and Effective Therapies (SWIFT)”, have begun preparations for a clinical trial of a cell-based therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The outcomes of their work may, in the future, enable the development of not only personalized therapies but also more universal treatment approaches. At the same time, the research results have laid the groundwork for the development of diagnostic methods based on blood analysis. The research is funded by European Funds through the Foundation for Polish Science.
Lung cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in Poland. Each year, more than 20,000 people in the country receive this diagnosis. The disease often develops without symptoms, which means it is typically detected at an advanced stage, significantly reducing the chances of effective treatment. Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases worldwide. More than 2 million people are diagnosed with NSCLC every year globally, including over 300,000 in Europe, and on average 80% of patients die within five years of diagnosis. The scale of the problem requires new therapies and early detection methods to be critically important.
The International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science at the University of Gdańsk (ICCVS UG) is conducting advanced research on therapies for non-small cell lung cancer as part of the SWIFT project (Science for Welfare, Innovations and Forceful Therapies). The project is implemented under the International Research Agendas programme run by the Foundation for Polish Science and financed by the European Funds for a Modern Economy 2021–2027 (FENG).
“Our main objective is to bring the cell-based lung cancer therapy we have developed to the clinical trial stage. We want to initiate a clinical study involving patients to confirm the safety of the therapy and to help determine the optimal dose of the drug — in this case, therapeutic cells. Another task is the continuous development and improvement of this therapy. We are well aware that cancer is a difficult opponent and will certainly try to suppress the activity of the therapeutic cells we are working on,” says Prof. Natalia Marek-Trzonkowska, Director of ICCVS and Head of the SWIFT project, in an interview with Newseria.
The ICCVS team has developed an algorithm that enables the identification of anti-cancer cells in patients’ blood. These cells are infrequent; nevertheless, ICCVS scientists can isolate and expand them in large numbers. As a result, the therapeutic cells can be used as a medicinal product and, once administered to the patient, gain a real advantage over the cancer. Researchers are currently optimizing the isolation and production processes to comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.
“We have acquired appropriate research equipment that allows us to sort cells for clinical use. We are learning and training to adapt the developed process as efficiently and effectively as possible to the requirements of good manufacturing practice, which is the standard in clinical research,” Prof. Marek-Trzonkowska explains.
During their research, the scientists also identified specific tumor characteristics that recur in many patients with NSCLC.
“When we started the project, we assumed that our therapy would be personalized — tailored individually for each patient. However, we discovered several unique features of lung cancer that are not present in healthy tissues. Moreover, these features are typical of tumors in the majority of NSCLC patients. This opens up the possibility that our research could lead to the development of a more universal therapy. That would make it cheaper to produce, more accessible, and more effective,” explains the SWIFT project leader.
These same unique tumor features have also led to a significant breakthrough in the diagnostics of non-small cell lung cancer, forming the basis for work on a blood test capable of detecting cancer markers. This is particularly important given that current diagnostics rely primarily on computed tomography, which is limited in access.
“Unique tumor features — so-called markers — can also be detected in a patient’s blood and may be used for lung cancer diagnostics,” the scientist explains. “Hopefully, in the near future, we will be able to carry out screening diagnostics for this cancer using a blood sample.”
Over the past year, researchers have also achieved a breakthrough in studies on lung cancer stem cells. The team has isolated, characterized, and expanded these cells, opening the door to future therapies targeting the most treatment-resistant cancer cell populations.
“This is a huge success and a significant discovery, because cancer stem cells are responsible for metastasis and for the high malignancy of this cancer. Being able to isolate them from a patient’s body and study them puts us on the right path to fighting them effectively as well,” Prof. Marek-Trzonkowska emphasizes.
At the same time, research is underway to understand how lung cancer suppresses immune cell activity and how therapeutic cells can be protected against these mechanisms. The team is also analyzing the tumor microenvironment to create conditions that support treatment effectiveness — a key factor in maintaining the activity of therapeutic cells after they are administered to the patient.
The next step, planned in cooperation with partners including Technische Universität Dresden, involves developing genetically modified therapeutic cells resistant to tumor-secreted substances. This is intended to ensure the therapy remains effective even under conditions of intense immunosuppression.
“The tumor will not be able to inhibit the action of the therapeutic cells. They will be insensitive to the substances the tumor produces and releases into the bloodstream to suppress the anti-cancer response. These cells will have something like a shield, and hopefully they will act effectively,” says Prof. Marek-Trzonkowska.
The International Research Agendas programme is run by the Foundation for Polish Science and financed by the European Funds for a Modern Economy 2021–2027 (FENG).
