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Samuel C F Couto, PhD
Fundação Pró-Sangue (Blood Center of São Paulo/University of São Paulo)
São Paulo, Brazil

Attending the ISCT 2025 Annual Meeting in New Orleans was an experience I will not soon forget. As a first-time participant, I arrived eager to connect with the global cell and gene therapy community, deepen my understanding of emerging technologies, and share the work of our team in São Paulo. What I encountered was far more than I expected—an intense and rewarding convergence of ideas, collaborations, and recognition.

One of the most personally meaningful moments was presenting our work on iPSC-derived dendritic cells (iPSC-DCs), which proposes a novel platform for cell-based immunotherapy [1]. The work was very well received, earning first place in the iPSC abstract poster session and an invitation to present during the iPSC oral abstract session. Sharing our data alongside such a talented group of researchers was both humbling and energizing, particularly given the strong presence of South and Central America delegates at ISCT 2025 [2]. The quality of work from my fellow researchers was nothing short of inspiring, signaling that the region is increasingly contributing to the global landscape of advanced therapies.

Workshop Deep Dives: From Immunomonitoring to Manufacturing Strategy

The Immune Monitoring and Immunobiology Educational Workshop, expertly led by Patrick Hanley, Jaap Jan Boelens, and Elani Fourie Wiest, focused on harmonization and standardization strategies for immune monitoring in CGT trials. The clarity and urgency with which panelists addressed the complexity of large-scale immunological data truly stood out.

Equally impactful was the Cell Therapy Manufacturing Strategy & Optimization Workshop, which tackled real-world issues ranging from product characterization and cryopreservation to regulatory integration and tech transfer. Kudos to Wade Atkins, Lizette Caballero, Kevin Bosse, and the broader planning team for a highly practical and thought-provoking program. These sessions were not only technically enriching but also grounded in the operational realities that many of us navigate daily.

Equity, Access, and the Globalization of Cell & Gene Therapy

Another highlight was participating as a panelist at the “Gene Therapy Hurdles on the Road from Approval to Global Adoption” roundtable. Moderated by Sven Kili, the panel brought together voices from Brazil, India, the Philippines, and Uganda to discuss how we might bring CGT to low- and middle-income countries (LMiCs). It was an important reminder that innovation alone isn’t enough—equitable infrastructure, inclusive regulatory pathways, and global cooperation must also be part of the equation.

Advances in CAR-T: Engineering for Speed and Specificity

The meeting was also a showcase of the astonishing pace of CAR-T innovation. I was particularly intrigued by the Bluewhale Bio platform, which uses cell-derived nanoparticles to activate and transduce T cells as early as day 0, enabling a manufacturing process that takes just three days [3]. The combination of feeder-cell functionality and synthetic scalability could be a game-changer in manufacturing agility.

Another standout was the work from Rommell and collaborators at UPenn, who presented a Penta CAR-T cell platform engineered with five independent antigen receptors [4]. This approach demonstrated impressive cytotoxicity against heterogeneous tumors, potentially overcoming a key challenge in current CAR-T therapies—tumor escape due to antigen loss. The elegant design and robust in vitro results made a lasting impression, and I look forward to seeing this approach advance into clinical models.

Beyond Data: Community and Connection

What made ISCT 2025 truly special wasn’t just the groundbreaking science—it was the people. From reconnecting with longtime colleagues to finally meeting virtual collaborators in person, the human connections were just as impactful as the technical ones. It was also a chance to speak with those I’ve long admired in the field, and to realize that we are all grappling with similar challenges in bringing these transformative therapies to patients.

I’m deeply grateful to the ISCT community, and especially to ISCT President Miguel Forte and the 2025 Annual Meeting co-chairs Alice Bertaina, Dominique Farge, Uma Lakshmipathy, Qasim Rafiq, William Hwang, and Lizette Caballero for curating such a powerful event. As the field of cell and gene therapy continues to evolve at breakneck speed, meetings like ISCT remind us that science is both a collective endeavor and a human one. I return to São Paulo reenergized—not only by what we’ve accomplished, but by the global momentum we are part of. As a newly appointed SCA Regional Treasurer, I’m committed to elevating the visibility of South and Central America in the global cell and gene therapy landscape. By partnering with forward-thinking institutions and societies, and investing in workforce development, I aim to help ensure our region is equipped to deliver cutting-edge treatments to the populations we serve.

References

1. S. Couto, P. do Amaral Costa Ribeiro, L. Catharino, A. Ralph, V. Rocha, T. Gremen, R.N. Ramos. Generation of HLA-DR+CD1c-CD14-XCR1+ dendritic cells expressing CAR from induced pluripotent cells as an alternative treatment for cancer. Cytotherapy, Volume 27, Issue 5, Supplement, 2025, Pages S45-S46, ISSN 1465-3249, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcyt.2025.03.073.
2. L.C. Leon-Moreno, S. Couto, A. Caicedo, T. Maron-Gutiérrez. The Impact of the Regulatory Landscape on Research, Public Acceptance, and Market Development of Advanced Therapies in Latin America. Cytotherapy, Volume 27, Issue 5, Supplement, 2025, Page e16, ISSN 1465-3249, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcyt.2025.04.026.
3. B.A. Sadiq, C. Zhang, C. Hanindya, D. Muthumani, J. Shong, J. Mass, G. Joseph, V. Carpio, S. Roussel, C. Mizzoni, S. Carmichael, M. Parvizi, M. Deng, D. Hasenmayer, G. Plesa, M.M. Davis, J. Riley, P. Keller. Cell-Derived Nanoparticles (CDNPs) Enable Versatile, Rapid, and Robust T Cell Expansion for Scalable CAR-T Manufacturing. Cytotherapy, Volume 27, Issue 5, Supplement, 2025, Page S200, ISSN 1465-3249, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcyt.2025.03.406.
4. P.C. Rommel, N.W. Engel, J.K. Malachowski, R.M. Young, B.L. Levine, C.H. June. Engineering Relapse-Resistant CAR T-Cells for Blood Cancers (Penta T-Cells). Cytotherapy, Volume 27, Issue 5, Supplement, 2025, Page S14, ISSN 1465-3249, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcyt.2025.03.014.