https://english.news.cn/20260310/414a37d8764042d2aac60abdfa76a394/c.html

https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(26)00170-4

A research team from the CAS Institute of Process Engineering (IPE) has developed a new helper molecule for CAR-T cell therapy called FACE. The idea came from studying patient samples. The researchers found that both leukemia cells and the immune cells used in CAR T therapy have large amounts of the same protein on their surface — a protein called CD71. So they created FACE from ferritin, a natural protein that binds to CD71. During the preparation process, FACE attaches to CAR T cells. Later, when those cells are given to the patient, FACE also grabs onto nearby leukemia cells, locking the two together.

FACE thus serves as a tiny bridge or a piece of strong glue. Even when leukemia cells try to hide, FACE helps the CAR T cells hold on and do their job.

Research results have been striking. In laboratory studies using mouse leukemia subjects, the new approach worked even when the original cancer target had decreased markedly. Standard CAR T cell therapy failed under these conditions, but the FACE-CAR T cells were still able to find and kill the leukemia cells, leading to a 100-percent survival rate.