Scientists Reprogram Immune Cells to Fight Cancer in the Body
WHO:
The Salt Lake Tribune - Brigham Young University researchers developed MOTO-CAR, an immunotechnology for reprogramming macrophages to fight cancer.
The Salt Lake Tribune - Kim O’Neill, BYU professor of microbiology and molecular biology and lead researcher, said the work was personally meaningful because both of his parents died of cancer.
The Salt Lake Tribune - O’Neill said, “A lot of my friends have cancer,” and that researchers are doing all they can to get the technology to people who can bring it to market.
The Salt Lake Tribune - BYU transferred issued patents for the technology to Thunder Biotech through a licensing agreement. O’Neill founded the research-partner company in 2016.
Science Daily - MIT scientists developed nanoparticles to reprogram immune cells inside the body.
WHAT:
The Salt Lake Tribune - MOTO-CAR genetically engineers macrophages, which can enter solid tumors, to recognize cancer markers, attack tumor cells, and activate other immune cells.
The Salt Lake Tribune - In an in vitro study, researchers observed a 90% reduction in aggressive lung cancer cells within 24 hours. In a separate mouse study, one treatment regimen reduced tumor sizes by up to 46%.
The Salt Lake Tribune - The technology may lead to treatments for difficult-to-cure cancers, including glioblastoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
Science Daily - In mouse experiments, MIT’s nanoparticles enabled immune cells to attack cancer and harmful immune cells, eliminated tumors, and reversed liver damage.
Science Daily - The approach could simplify and reduce the cost of immune therapies and may offer possibilities for treating cancer and autoimmune diseases.
WHERE:
The Salt Lake Tribune - The MOTO-CAR research was conducted at Brigham Young University.
Science Daily - The nanoparticle reprogramming was designed to occur inside the body; experiments were conducted in mice.
WHY:
The Salt Lake Tribune - O’Neill said the research gave him hope for people with cancer and that he believes immunotherapy is part of cancer treatment’s future.
HOW:
The Salt Lake Tribune - The proposed treatment would use a tumor biopsy to identify cancer type and biomarkers; a treatment team would choose a pre-engineered MOTO-CAR therapeutic, and a clinician would likely administer it by infusion.
The Salt Lake Tribune - The anticipated response includes flu-like symptoms around the third and fourth day, with the immune system ideally fighting the tumor by days 14 to 28.
Science Daily - MIT scientists used nanoparticles to reprogram immune cells directly inside the body.
The Salt Lake Tribune - The research remains preclinical; further work and funding are needed before human clinical trials. Results have not been formally published to protect the patent process.
The Salt Lake Tribune - O’Neill said that, if plans proceed and the FDA approves it, MOTO-CAR could become a cancer-treatment option in fewer than five years.
(UPDATED November 8, 2026 22:04 UTC)
BYU researchers developed MOTO-CAR, reprogramming macrophages to recognize and attack cancer cells. Early tests showed fewer lung cancer cells and smaller tumors in mice. MIT researchers used nanoparticles to reprogram immune cells inside mice, targeting cancer and harmful immune cells.