Justin Eyquem, Ph.D.

Research

The Eyquem lab aims to enhance CAR-T therapy, a cancer treatment that modifies T cells to target cancer cells. Remarkably effective against certain blood cancers, this therapy faces challenges like frequent relapses, limited success in solid tumors, and high costs due to complex production processes. We previously improved some aspects by editing genes in T cells outside the body, but this approach still required intensive pretreatment and costly manufacturing.

To overcome these limitations, I propose a novel approach: editing T-cell genomes directly inside the body. This in vivo method is cost-effective, widely accessible, and eliminates the need for preconditioning chemotherapy. Specifically, I will target the CAR transgene into lineage-specific loci to enhance cell potency and safety of the approach. Additionally, I will encode synthetic pathways into T-cell genomes to augment responses against solid tumors. By improving CAR-T therapy in these ways, we aim to broaden the availability and efficacy of this transformative treatment. Finally, the method could also be applied to noncancer indications such as infectious disease and autoimmune and genetic disorders.