Breakthrough in the treatment of bronchial asthma using genetic engineering

Chinese scientists developed CAR T cells that were genetically programmed to destroy immune cells that cause asthma. A study in mice showed that a single injection of these cells prevented asthma attacks and other symptoms for a year.

Despite the success of the method, there are some obstacles to its mass application. The need to include a special “switch” in genetically modified cells and the high cost of the cell modification process are the main problems. Therefore, scientists believe that the new treatment method will be used mainly for patients with severe forms of bronchial asthma.