Hello Nature readers,
This week, we hear that a small Indian manufacturer has smashed the CAR T cost barrier, identify a bacterium infiltrating colorectal tumours and pinpoint a potential genetic trigger behind lung-cancer relapse.

CAR Ts at one-tenth of the cost from India

Indian biotechnology company ImmunoACT has produced an innovative cancer treatment called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy at one-tenth of the cost charged by global competitors. The treatment — called NexCAR19 — costs between US$30,000 and $40,000 whereas previous treatments cost between US$370,000 and $530,000. This cheaper product could make cellular therapies accessible for low- and middle-income countries, says haematologist Renato Cunha. "Hope is the word that comes to mind," he says. "It lights a little fire under all of us to look at the cost of making CAR T cells, even in places like the United States." says Terry Fry, an immunologist and paediatric oncologist who has advised ImmunoACT.

The bacteria shared by teeth and gut cancer

The same species of bacteria that causes dental plaque and infections seems to penetrate colorectal tumours. Researchers analysed samples from around 1,200 people, and found that people with colorectal cancer were much more likely to have Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteria in their stool (29% vs 5%). "Patients who have high levels of this bacteria in their colorectal tumours have a far worse prognosis," says co-author and biologist Susan Bullman. "They don't respond as well to chemotherapy and they have an increased risk of recurrence."

Burst of diversity, then lung cancer relapses

Small cell lung cancer cells start off being genetically similar to one another, but after chemotherapy there is a sudden increase in their genetic diversity, which is thought to trigger a relapse. Researchers mapped the lung-cancer-cell family tree by genetically sequencing multiple regions of 160 tumours from 65 people. They identified a common ancestor cell that drives disease recurrence.

DNA origami as a cancer vaccine

Researchers have created a DNA origami vaccine called DoriVac that triggers an immune response against cancer in mice. DoriVac is made up of square blocks of DNA implanted with antigens. In mouse studies, DoriVac enhanced the activation of dendritic cells and cytotoxic T cells, and improved the efficacy of immunotherapy.

Cold plasma could treat child bone cancer

Injecting bone tumours with cold physical plasma — a partially ionized gas — could one day be a potential treatment option for children. When Ewing's sarcoma cell lines were doused with ionized gas and chemotherapy agents, the population growth and viability of cells were reduced, and cell death increased. "Combining cold physical plasma with non-common chemotherapy drugs such as methotrexate and cisplatin in the treatment of Ewing's sarcoma enhances the anticancer effects of these drugs," write the authors.

Is it too soon for multicancer blood tests?

At least two blood tests for the detection of multiple cancers are already being commercialized in the United States, even though none have yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. "It's safe to say that the technology is not well enough developed to be marketed," says biostatistician Ruth Etzioni. These blood tests are designed to detect a range of cancers, including those that have no other screening tests.