{
  "id": 4676053,
  "title": "Disruption of the interferon-gamma axis limits chimeric antigen receptor T cell efficacy against acute myeloid leukemia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/disruption-of-the-interferon-gamma-axis-limits-chimeric-antigen",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.28.747900v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has proven effective against B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, yet its application to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has faced challenges due to limited efficacy and high toxicity. Recent research suggests that emapalumab, an interferon-gamma (IFN{gamma}) blocker, could help alleviate CAR T cell-related side effects in B cell malignancies, as IFN{gamma} appears to be less crucial for optimal CAR T cell activity in B-ALL. However, the role of IFN{gamma} in AML remains uncertain. This study reveals that inhibiting the IFN{gamma} signaling pathway hinders CAR T cell function against AML, preventing the upregulation of target antigen CD123, the production of the apoptotic mediator Fas, and the adhesion molecule ICAM-1 on AML cells. On the other hand, administering exogenous IFN{gamma} boosts CAR T cell toxicity and enhances CAR T cell binding to AML targets. These findings underscore the critical role of IFN{gamma} in CAR T cell efficacy against AML by stimulating target antigen expression, improving cytotoxicity, and maintaining CAR T cell interactions with tumors. The researchers conclude that therapeutic IFN{gamma} blockade, such as emapalumab, may negatively impact CAR T cell responses in AML and should be used cautiously in this disease context.",
  "summary": "Despite the success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy for treatment of B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), its translation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been hindered by limited efficacy and significant toxicity. Interferon-gamma (IFN{gamma}) blockade with emapalumab has recently emerged as a promising strategy to mitigate CAR T cell-related toxicities in B cell…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}