Hasmik Arutyunyan
Class of 2027van nuys, california
About
Hello! My name is Hasmik Arutyunyan, and my Polygence project is on **Enhancing CAR-T Cell Therapy with CRISPR for Blood Cancer Treatment**. Initially, I began my research to explore a broad topic: cancer treatment via CRISPR methodologies. However, as I progressed in my research and discussed it with my incredible mentor, Samantha, I decided it would be best to focus on a multi-treatment approach, utilizing an immunotherapy option currently in use, CAR-T cell therapy. I took what I loved, CRISPR, and applied it to CAR-T cell therapy for the treatment and prevention of blood cancer. I chose this project specifically because it's a powerful tool that can be utilized in the medical field to aid in curing. I have completed my project. I plan to publish my research beyond my Polygence publication and present my findings at oncology and immunotherapy medical conferences. I am confident my research can lead to practical ways of approaching a complex genetic disease like cancer and will provide individuals fighting cancer with more options.Projects
- "Title: Enhancing CAR-T Cell Therapy with CRISPR for Blood Cancer Treatment" with mentor Samantha (Apr. 9, 2025)
Project Portfolio
Title: Enhancing CAR-T Cell Therapy with CRISPR for Blood Cancer Treatment
Started Nov. 19, 2024
Abstract or project description
Project Description: Blood cancer cases, including lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma, remain a leading cause of cancer worldwide, with an estimated 1.24 million people being affected annually. Every year, approximately 700,000 people die from blood cancer, highlighting the urgent need for more effective treatments. Currently, Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is the most advanced treatment for these cases. CAR-T therapy involves genetically modifying patients’ T cells to target and destroy cancer cells. Despite its success, CAR-T therapy faces challenges, including side effects like cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and limited effectiveness against some blood cancers. CRISPR gene editing has the ability to overcome these limitations and strengthen CAR-T cell therapy, offering patients a potential solution by enhancing efficiency and precision in targeting cancer cells. This review will discuss current issues of blood cancer treatments and how CRISPR can be utilized in next-generation CAR-T therapies to improve T-cell engineering, strengthen resistance to tumors, and incorporate safety mechanisms to reduce side effects.