September 23, 2026
AI boosted T cells against tumors: tumors in mice shrank by 35%
By day 83, tumors in mice receiving SET-T cells were about 35% smaller than without treatment. The study was published in Science Advances on September 23, 2026. Scientists used AI protein design to modify T-cell receptors.
The original receptors were less stable on the cell surface and could mispair chains. The PROSS and FuncLib algorithms selected mutations for SET receptors: the variant performed better across 6 different TCRs.
Tested against targets. SET boosted activity against targets associated with melanoma, Epstein-Barr virus, and SARS-CoV-2. By day 127, all mice with SET-T cells survived, compared with fewer than half of the control group. These are still lab experiments and animal models, but AI is changing the cell therapy itself here, not just candidate discovery.
Before treating people, SET must still undergo safety and clinical-potential studies.
