Adapted immune cells known as CAR T-cells could treat lungs infected by the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus in people with suppressed immune systems, a study in mice suggests

Life-threatening fungal lung infections could be treated with modified immune cells known as CAR T-cells, a study in mice suggests.

People often breathe in a fungus called Aspergillus fumigatus that is commonly found in the air and soil. When we are healthy, our immune systems can normally clear any fungus out of the lungs before it causes harm.

However, in people with suppressed immune systems – which can result from cancer treatment or receiving transplants, for example – the fungus can grow in the lungs, causing breathlessness and, in extreme cases, death.

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