Gene therapy research in Connecticut may slow aging and fight cancer.

Researchers at Jackson Laboratory and Yale are developing CAR T-cell and other gene therapies being tested for cancer and explored for age-related uses, while Connecticut lawmakers are considering a bill to create an advisory council to advise state agencies on expanding access.

Researchers in Connecticut are advancing gene therapies, including CAR T-cell approaches, that are used for some cancers and are being explored for age-related benefits. Work is taking place at Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine and at Yale, with some laboratory experiments in mice reported to remove aged and damaged cells. CAR T-cell treatments are already in clinical use for certain blood cancers, and ongoing trials are testing broader applications. Connecticut lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at advising state agencies on how to expand access to these therapies. Key points: - Jackson Laboratory and Yale are conducting research and early clinical trials on CAR T-cell and other gene therapies, and researchers reported experiments in mice that eliminated aged or damaged cells. - CAR T-cell therapy has been effective for some blood cancers, and about 150 patients have received treatment at Yale, with additional clinical trials ongoing. - Speakers at a rare disease forum noted that the FDA outlined a streamlined approach in February intended to speed approvals for innovative gene therapies. - State Senator Saud Anwar introduced a bill to create a CAR T-cell advisory council, and the legislature's Public Health Committee was scheduled to vote on the proposal. - Cost and logistical barriers remain significant: the engineered cells alone can cost up to $475,000 and total treatment expenses often exceed $500,000, while insurers and Medicare may not cover the full amount. Summary: Researchers and clinicians described ongoing advances in CAR T-cell and gene-editing approaches and noted expanding clinical use for some cancers. The proposed Connecticut advisory council would advise state agencies on access and affordability, with a Public Health Committee vote pending. Costs and centralized delivery continue to limit who can receive treatment, and researchers say trials are exploring wider applications for cancer and immune diseases.