Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have developed an experimental immunotherapy that targets the macrophages that protect tumor cells instead of directly attacking the cancer[1][5]. The therapy uses CAR T cells modified from the patient's own T cells, which selectively eliminate tumor macrophages and preserve healthy macrophages[1][5]. In addition, CAR T cells have been modified to release interleukin-12, which activates killer T cells[1][5]. A study tested in aggressive preclinical models of metastatic ovarian and lung cancer showed dramatic results: mice survived months longer than untreated mice and many were completely cured[1][5]. Advanced spatial genomic techniques have revealed that treatment changes the tumor environment from an immune-suppressed to an immune-active one by removing suppressive cells and attracting immune cells capable of destroying the cancer[1][5]. The therapy is antigen-independent and has the potential to treat a variety of advanced solid tumors resistant to other immunotherapies[5]. Researchers stress that human studies are needed to verify safety and efficacy[1].