Areej Akhtar, a Ph.D. research scholar at the Multidisciplinary Centre for Advanced Research and Studies (MCARS) at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), has received the first-ever Carl June CAR-TCR Summit travel award. This award was presented by Dr. Carl June, a leading figure in CAR T cell therapy, during a significant event in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Areej’s research focuses on improving CAR T cell therapy, which has changed cancer treatment since the FDA approved the first therapies in 2017.
Innovative Approach to Enhance Treatment
Areej’s work, titled “Bioengineering the Metabolic Network of CAR T-Cells to Increase Persistence and Long-Term Anti-Tumor Activity,” addresses important challenges in CAR T cell therapy. She emphasizes the need for metabolic reprogramming to enhance the effectiveness and longevity of these “living drugs.” Her research aims to extend the lifespan and anti-tumor activity of CAR T cells by bioengineering their metabolic pathways using GLP-1 peptides. Areej and her team screened over 3,000 combinations of molecules to find the best one that boosts CAR T cell function.
Commitment to Affordable Healthcare
During the award ceremony, Areej expressed her goal to make CAR T cell therapy more affordable, as it currently costs between ₹4 to ₹5 crore. The innovative methods developed in her research have been patented, with Areej and Dr. Tanveer Ahmad, an Assistant Professor at MCARS, listed as inventors. Their work is currently under peer review for publication and is expected to significantly impact cancer treatment. Prof. Mohammad Husain, Director of MCARS, congratulated Areej on her achievement, highlighting the excellent research being conducted at JMI. This recognition not only marks a significant milestone in Areej’s career but also showcases JMI’s commitment to transformative healthcare research.
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