Immunotherapy has transformed how we treat cancer. A new wave of these treatments focuses on T cells, which are specialized immune cells and, in particular, a key protein on their surface called the T cell receptor (TCR).  

TCR-based medicines could expand treatment options for more patients and help overcome resistance to current therapies. Some TCR drugs have already cured individual patients, but fully unlocking their potential requires solving an important challenge: TCR crossreactivity. TCRs are naturally complex. They can recognize many different cancer related mutations while typically avoiding healthy tissue. Predicting this behaviour is difficult, so researchers need tools that can safely test millions of possible TCR targets in real cells. 

Immfinity Biotechnologies Inc., a BC-based company, has created a patented live‑ cell‑ assay called Tope‑seq to meet this need. Unlike traditional methods, Topeseq‑ uses synthetic biology, high‑ speed cell sorting and DNA sequencing to deeply map how TCRs react to a wide range of targets. With this technology, Immfinity aims to work closely with pharmaceutical partners early in development to ensure that only the most promising and safest TCR drug candidates move forward toward clinical use.