Gamma delta T cells attack small cell lung cancer in laboratory models
Published in Diseases!, Immunology, Journals.
Published October 16, 2026.
WEHI researchers report that gamma delta T cells can recognize and attack small cell lung cancer in laboratory models. The institute described the Cancer Cell study on October 15.
The team grew miniature tumors from patient samples and combined them with gamma delta T cells from the patients’ blood. These immune cells killed cancer cells, offering a potential route around the disease’s ability to evade conventional immune responses.
In laboratory experiments, zoledronate increased the availability and tumor-recognition capacity of these cells, while tarlatamab helped bring them into contact with cancer cells. The combination strengthened their anti-tumor activity.
Analyses of data from the IMpower133 and CASPIAN trials also linked stronger gamma delta T-cell signatures with better immunotherapy outcomes.
Research limits: Patient associations and laboratory tumor killing do not demonstrate that this drug combination improves survival in people. The proposed strategy requires clinical testing to establish benefit, dosing and safety.
Source: WEHI research announcement, October 15, 2026. Study: Ng and colleagues, Cancer Cell, DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2026.08.015.