Researchers looked at how using frozen blood cells, known as cryopreserved PBMCs, affects the production of CAR-T cells for treating blood cancers. This review compared these frozen cells to fresh cells to see if the manufacturing process remained effective.
The results showed that while frozen cells had lower survival rates after thawing, they still performed well. Specifically, the frozen cells showed viability between 77% and 97%. Despite the initial thaw, the cells showed similar growth, and they were just as effective at being modified and killing target cells as the fresh ones.
There were some early changes in the frozen cells, such as slower doubling times and signs of mitochondrial stress. However, the study suggests that using frozen materials is a feasible way to manufacture these treatments. Because the evidence is limited and the study designs were varied, these findings are not yet definitive for standard practice.
Common questions
Are frozen cells as effective as fresh ones for CAR-T therapy?
The review found that fold expansion, transduction efficiency, and cytotoxic activity were generally comparable between frozen and fresh cells. While frozen cells showed some early signs of stress and slower doubling times after thawing, their overall ability to grow and function in the manufacturing process was similar to fresh materials.
What is the survival rate of frozen cells after they are thawed?
The study found that the viability and recovery of cryopreserved cells after thawing ranged between 77% and 97%. Although these numbers were lower than those of fresh materials, the cells still performed well enough to be used in the manufacturing process.
Is using frozen cells a safe way to make CAR-T treatments?
The review suggests that cryopreservation is a feasible approach for manufacturing CAR-T cells. However, the evidence is currently limited and the study designs were varied. You should speak with a medical professional regarding specific treatment options and safety.
