USC Scientists Create Renewable Supply of Cancer-Fighting Immune Cells

Scientists at the University of Southern California (USC), led by Qi-Long Ying, developed a novel method to generate a continuous, expandable supply of genetically engineered granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (GMPs) for cancer immunotherapy, as detailed in research published online in Cell on June 19, 2026[1][2][5]. This discovery challenges the long-held scientific assumption that only hematopoietic stem cells possess the capacity for long-term self-renewal within the blood system[1][5][6][8][11].

This breakthrough could transform cell therapy by offering a scalable solution to manufacturing limitations, which currently restrict access to treatments for various diseases, including specific cancers and bacterial infections. It opens the door for developing more accessible, "off-the-shelf" immunotherapies that could be produced in larger quantities[1][3][4].

What the records show

When engineered with Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) and immune-activating signals, these modified GMPs actively fought cancer cells in preclinical mouse models[1][7][9][12]. The engineered cells successfully delayed the progression of both blood cancers and solid tumors[1][7][8][9][12]. The study also showed that these GMPs restored the ability to fight bacterial infections in mice with an inherited immune deficiency called chronic granulomatous disease[7][8][9][12].

The timeline

What changed and for whom

For patients, this development addresses significant hurdles in current cell therapies, such as the high cost, complex manufacturing workflows, and the challenge of producing sufficient quantities of cells[3][4]. The ability to create a renewable, expandable source of immune cells could lead to "off-the-shelf" treatments, making advanced immunotherapies more accessible and affordable for a wider range of patients battling cancers and severe infections[1][3][12].

What the subject has said publicly

What we could not confirm