Science News from research organizations Scientists solve a major roadblock holding back cancer cell therapy A long-missing immune cell can now be grown from stem cells, bringing scalable cancer cell therapies a major step closer. Date: January 20, 2026 Source: University of British Columbia Summary: Researchers have found a reliable way to grow helper T cells from stem cells, solving a major challenge in immune-based cancer therapy.

Helper T cells act as the immune systems coordinators, helping other immune cells fight longer and harder. The team discovered how to precisely control a key signal that determines which type of T cell forms.

This advance could lead to ready-made cell therapies that are cheaper, faster, and easier to access. Share: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email FULL STORY Scientists have finally learned how to grow helper T cells from stem cells, a missing piece in effective cancer cell therapy.

The breakthrough could make off-the-shelf immune treatments more powerful and widely available. Credit: Shutterstock For the first time, researchers at the University of British Columbia have shown how to consistently produce a crucial type of human immune cell, known as helper T cells, from stem cells in a controlled lab setting.