Overview

• In Nature Biomedical Engineering, USC and City of Hope researchers report CAR-T cells that secrete an IL-12/anti–PD-L1 fusion, achieving localized cytokine activity.
• In mouse models of prostate and ovarian cancer, the therapy shrank tumors, improved T-cell infiltration, and showed limited off‑tumor effects.
• The team is extending tests to pancreatic, colorectal, and brain tumor models and says early clinical trials are targeted within one to two years.
• Disclosures note Prostate Cancer Foundation, Department of Defense, and NIH support, with inventor patent interests listed for some authors.
• Separately, Yale researchers describe an IDR-based protein engineering toolset in Nature Chemical Biology that boosts CAR-T potency against low‑antigen and solid tumors in preclinical studies.