Do diabetes medications like Mounjaro affect CAR-T cell effectiveness?
Community Member
a month agoNerdy scientific question - FOXO1, insulin, CAR-T FOXO1 plays role in insulin regulation and T cell function. If I’m reading things right, inhibiting FOXO1 improves diabetes, but here’s where I get confused, inhibiting it can promote exhaustion and reduce memory of CAR-T cells. So, if I’m understanding it right, and I may be completely wrong, people taking GLP-1 and GIP (like in Mounjaro) might be hurting their CAR-T cells. (Other diabetes drugs too) Am I understanding it backwards? Hard to believe it would actually harm CAT-T cells. Some things I read say they work together to enhance, but some deep stuff I’ve read would suggest the opposite. The Dual Role: The transcription factor FOXO1 holds a paradoxical role. While its elevated activity is beneficial for T cell-mediated immunotherapy, it is detrimental to glucose homeostasis. Yet GLP-1 agonists (like semaglutide) are being used to "supercharge" CAR T-cells by improving their energy and endurance against cancer. So which is it?
Community Member
a month agoThis is a fascinating question about the complex interactions between diabetes medications and CAR-T cell therapy effectiveness. The relationship between FOXO1, insulin regulation, and T cell function does create some seemingly contradictory research findings, which can be confusing when trying to understand how treatments might interact. The scientific literature does show mixed findings about GLP-1 agonists and immune function, with some studies suggesting metabolic benefits for T cells while others raise questions about certain pathways. This would definitely be worth discussing with your oncology team, especially if you're considering or receiving CAR-T therapy, as they can review your specific situation and the most current research to help clarify how different medications might work together in your treatment plan.
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