NKT cells are used in cancer immunotherapy as they do not only exert an antitumor effect by killer T cells but also are able to kill MHC negative cancer cells which can not be attacked by T cells. NKT cells constitute only 0.01% to 0.1% of the T cells in peripheral blood, making it difficult to obtain enough cells necessary for treatment. By using iPS cell technology, this problem could be overcome. Brightpass plans to start doctor-initiated clinical trial for head and neck cancer during FY 2019.

Brightpass Biotech news release, April 2, 2018