CAR-TCR 2023 – Dr Pamela Garzone

When it comes to fighting certain haematological cancers, CAR-T therapy has had nigh-on miraculous effects. However, researchers have yet to transfer those results to the world of solid tumours.

At CAR-TCR in Boston earlier this fall, a number of scientists presented on their efforts to bridge that gap into solid tumours using a variety of innovative strategies. Dr Pamela Garzone, chief development officer at Anixa Biosciences, was one of those presenters.

Pharmaphorum editor-in-chief Jonah Comstock caught up with Garzone on the sidelines of the show to discuss her company’s work with the Moffitt Cancer Center testing a new CAR-T therapy for recurrent ovarian cancer.

Anixa Biosciences is using a follicle-stimulating hormone receptor as its binding antigen, which is promising because of its specificity of attack. And the therapy is delivered directly to the tumour via a catheter rather than intravenously, potentially yielding better homing and prevention of recurrence.

In the video below, Garzone details her own company’s efforts, comments on some of the most promising developments she’s heard about from other companies working on solid tumours, and shares some of her larger hopes for the cell therapy space.