Avalon GloboCare expands its MIT co-development research program to fight cancer spread

Avalon GloboCare Corp (NASDAQ:AVCO) has said it is expanding its co-development research program with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), involving the use of CRISPR-based genome editing and QTY protein design technology to potentially treat and prevent cancer metastasis – the spreading of cancer cells from the initial tumor site to surrounding tissues and other organs.   The company noted that its collaboration with MIT on the QTY code has already successfully generated a prototype device to soak up the excess chemokines and cytokines produced in the body that lead to a potentially fatal ‘cytokine storm,’ which can occur in patients with coronavirus (COVID-19) and in cancer patients being treated with CAR T-cell therapy. “This new endeavor builds on our collaboration with MIT using the QTY code technology to develop innovative therapies for cancer metastasis,” Avalon GloboCare CEO Dr David Jin said in a statement. READ: Avalon GloboCare seeking to tap the power of cells to fight cancer and coronavirus   Dr Jin added: “We are working diligently and remain dedicated to finding innovative ways of combatting cancer metastasis with the health of patients at the forefront of our minds.” Dr Shuguang Zhang, head of the Laboratory of Molecular Architecture at MIT’s Media Lab commented: “We have a talented team at MIT, including the enthusiastic support of MIT and Harvard’s Broad Institute professor, Dr Feng Zhang, a pioneer and expert of CRISPR-based genomic editing in mammalian cells." “Through our collaboration, we have been able to develop cutting edge technology that we believe has the potential to prevent the spread of cancer to other tissues, which ultimately leads to death,” he added. Avalon GloboCare said cancer cells mobilize and travel to other organs using the chemokine signaling network, made up of chemokine receptors on the surface of healthy cells and soluble ligands that bind these receptors. Dr Zhang’s MIT laboratory is applying its novel QTY protein code technology to design truncated versions of receptors that can act as decoys, attracting cancer cells and preventing them from spreading to other organs. Avalon GloboCare specializes in developing cell-based technologies but is also involved in the management of stem-cell banks and clinical laboratories and the fight against COVID-19. Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com