Advancing Non-Viral Engineering of T Cells with Electroporation
Gene-modified cell therapy is rapidly advancing, driven by the need for effective methods to deliver drugs or genes to cells and expedite novel therapies. While viral vectors have been traditionally used, their safety concerns, high costs, and limitations related to DNA size have shifted focus toward non-viral methods. Among these, electroporation is gaining prominence as a preferred non-viral technique.
Electroporation involves applying short, intense electrical pulses to cells, creating temporary openings in the cell membrane to allow genes or drug entry for cell modification. This method is especially effective in preparing T cells for treating cancer and other hematological conditions. However, traditional high-voltage electroporation has its drawbacks, including potential damage to cell membrane, increased cell death, and challenges with scaling up for large-volume cell therapy production.
To address these challenges, there is a growing demand for advanced electroporation platforms. Modern systems aim to reduce cell mortality, enhance cell viability, and improve fold expansion and knockout efficiency at a larger scale. This evolution in electroporation technology is crucial for improving the effectiveness and scalability of gene-modified cell therapies, ultimately accelerating the delivery of innovative treatments to patients.
Charles River Laboratories’ Cell Therapy Process Development Team conducted a study to evaluate three leading electroporation platforms: Kytopen’s Flowfect Tx™ and two blinded competitors. The study assessed cell counts, flow cytometry, and potency to determine the performance of each platform.
To learn more about non-viral engineering of T cells and our study findings, download the technical brief.