A systematic review into the potential of using CAR – T cell therapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer by Brigid Lynch

Brigid Lynch, one of our outstanding MSc ACGT students, recently submitted her Master's thesis, titled "A systematic review into the potential of using CAR – T cell therapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer"

When asked about her inspiration for the thesis, Brigid noted how the pancreas is a vital organ with no replacement, and that pancreatic cancer is often asymptomatic. This makes early detection difficult, as symptoms often mimic those of other gastrointestinal issues like bowel and stomach cancer. By the time a pancreatic tumor is found, it has often already spread significantly.

Brigid's interest was further sparked by a lecture from an American researcher who highlighted the lack of funding for trials and new diagnostic methods for common cancers, a disparity that often requires a high-profile case to bring attention and funding to the cause. This underscored the critical need for more research and awareness.

Unpacking the Research:

Brigid’s thesis explored the potential of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy as an alternative treatment for patients with pancreatic cancer. This systematic review followed the PRISMA flow guidelines, searching databases like PubMed, Embase, and Clinical Trials to find relevant papers. The research specifically looked at whether CAR-T cell therapy could be used when conventional treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery have failed to stop the cancer's progression.

Brigid's work is a crucial step in understanding the potential of CAR-T cell therapy for treating pancreatic cancer. We are incredibly proud of her and her contribution to this important field.