Overview

• SR-TIGET researchers led by Nadia Coltella and Luigi Naldini engineered tumor-infiltrating macrophages to secrete interferon-α and an orthogonal interleukin-2 directly within glioblastoma models.
• In preclinical mouse studies, localized cytokine release reversed CAR-T cell exhaustion, delayed tumor progression and extended survival compared to CAR-T therapy alone.
• The strategy induced antigenic spreading by recruiting the host’s own T cells against multiple tumor antigens beyond the CAR-target.
• Genenta Science’s Temferon phase 1/2a trial demonstrated feasibility, safety and biological activity in reprogramming the glioblastoma microenvironment through IFN-α delivery.
• Investigators are planning combined Temferon and CAR-T clinical studies to test whether coordinated cytokine and cell therapy can enhance treatment durability and broaden patient responses.