RENCA macrobeads

Agarose encapsulated murine renal adenocarcinoma cells (RENCA macrobeads) are a form of cell therapy under investigation for the treatment of advanced and therapy-resistant epithelial-derived cancers, including metastatic colorectal cancer. The product consists of two concentric layers of agarose with mouse renal adenocarcinoma (RENCA) cells in the inner layer. After implantation into the peritoneal cavity, most encapsulated cells die; however, a subpopulation with stem cell properties survives and forms colonies that secrete diffusible factors capable of inhibiting proliferation in a wide range of tumor types outside the bead environment. This inhibition is not species- or tumor type-specific and is mediated by secreted substances that upregulate MEF2 transcription factor activity and activate multiple signaling pathways such as Epidermal growth factor receptor in target tumor cells. The approach represents a biological-systems therapy aiming to re-establish growth regulation in highly dysregulated cancers rather than targeting single molecular abnormalities[1][3][4][5].

Other names

mouse renal adenocarcinoma cell-encapsulated agarose-agarose macrobeadsagarose–agarose RENCA macrobeadscancer macrobeads