# Universal Cells to Grow Cancer-Fighting Immune Cells

> This patent describes special 'universal' cells called K562 UAPCs that can help grow large numbers of immune cells to fight diseases like cancer.

- **Patent:** US 12734239
- **Original title:** K562 universal antigen presenting cells and uses thereof
- **Granted:** 2026
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 0
- **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical, cancer_therapy, immunotherapy, cell_therapy

## What it does

The patent provides 'universal antigen presenting cells' (UAPCs) derived from K562 cells. These UAPCs are designed to stimulate and expand immune cells, such as T-cells, outside the body. By presenting specific signals, these UAPCs encourage immune cells to multiply rapidly. Once expanded, these larger quantities of immune cells can be used as a treatment, for example, to target and destroy cancer cells in a patient. The 'universal' aspect suggests these cells can be used for many different patients without needing specific genetic matching.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover antigen-presenting cells that require specific HLA matching for each patient, as the patent focuses on 'universal' cells.
- Does not cover methods of treating disease that do not involve expanding immune cells, as the core mechanism is immune cell proliferation.
- Does not cover immune cell expansion methods that do not use K562-derived universal antigen presenting cells.
- Does not cover the K562 cell line itself, but rather its specific modification and use as a universal antigen-presenting cell.

## The clever bit

The clever part is creating 'universal' antigen-presenting cells from K562 cells. These modified cells can stimulate a patient's immune cells to grow and activate without needing to be genetically matched to the patient, which is a major hurdle in many current cell therapies.

## Real-world examples

1. CAR T-cell therapy manufacturing
2. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy development
3. Research into off-the-shelf cell therapies
4. Ex vivo expansion of T-cells for adoptive cell transfer

## Why it matters

This technology is important because it offers a way to produce large numbers of potent immune cells for therapies, especially for cancer. Current cell therapies often require complex, patient-specific manufacturing. Universal cells could simplify this process, making these advanced treatments more accessible and potentially more affordable for a wider range of patients.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does Universal Cells to Grow Cancer-Fighting Immune Cells cover?

This patent describes special 'universal' cells called K562 UAPCs that can help grow large numbers of immune cells to fight diseases like cancer.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This technology is important because it offers a way to produce large numbers of potent immune cells for therapies, especially for cancer. Current cell therapies often require complex, patient-specific manufacturing. Universal cells could simplify this process, making these advanced treatments more accessible and potentially more affordable for a wider range of patients.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover antigen-presenting cells that require specific HLA matching for each patient, as the patent focuses on 'universal' cells.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734239/k562-universal-antigen-presenting-cells-and-uses-thereof

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12734239

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._