PUMA CAR T-Cells
Project Overview
Challenges
University
Year
About
CAR T-cell therapy can treat some blood cancers but remains dangerous for solid tumours because target proteins may also appear on healthy tissue. PUMA CAR T-Cells redesigns the cancer-recognition component into a common two-part structure covered by a protective molecular mask. Enzymes abundant within solid tumours remove the mask, activating the cells at the tumour while keeping them inactive elsewhere. Tested across 17 cancer targets and in mice, the platform could make CAR T-cell treatment safer and adaptable to cancers including breast, ovarian, lung and pancreatic tumours.
Team
Yusef Haikal
Yusef Haikal is a fifth-year PhD candidate in Chemical and Biological Engineering at Georgia Tech, where he conducts research in the Blazeck Lab. His doctoral work focuses on protease-gated, conditionally activated HER2-directed CAR-T therapy for solid tumors, leveraging tumor microenvironment-responsive logic to improve T cell selectivity and reduce on-target off-tumor toxicity. Alongside his research, Yusef is actively engaged in the biotech entrepreneurship ecosystem through affiliations with the Quadrant-i program, where he explores the intersection of cutting-edge cell therapy science and early-stage venture development. He is committed to translating academic research into impactful therapeutic solutions.