NEW YORK, January 4, 2026 – As we age, that familiar feeling of food *not* agreeing with us becomes increasingly common. Scientists are now pinpointing a key culprit: damage to the intestinal lining, and they’ve discovered a surprising potential fix using a therapy typically reserved for cancer patients.
Gut Renewal: Can Cancer Therapy Hold the Key to Healthy Aging?
Researchers have identified a promising strategy to jump-start intestinal repair using CAR T-cell therapy, offering hope for improved gut health as we age.
- The intestinal lining, crucial for digestion, weakens with age and after radiation exposure.
- CAR T-cell therapy, known for cancer treatment, shows potential in restoring gut function.
- Removing aging cells—called senescent cells—improves nutrient absorption and reduces inflammation in the gut.
- A single dose of CAR T-cell treatment supported healthier gut function in mice for at least a year.
The intestinal epithelium, a single layer of cells lining the intestine, is essential for proper digestion and overall gut health. In a healthy gut, this lining renews itself every three to five days. However, aging and exposure to cancer radiation can disrupt this process, leading to inflammation and potentially “leaky gut syndrome.” But what if there was a way to reboot that renewal process?
Targeting Aging Cells That Refuse to Die
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have been exploring this very question. Their research builds on earlier work led by CSHL Assistant Professor Corina Amor Vegas, who studies cellular senescence – the accumulation of cells that no longer divide but also don’t die. These lingering cells have been linked to age-related conditions like diabetes and dementia.
Previously, Amor Vegas and her team engineered immune cells, known as anti-uPAR CAR T cells, to selectively remove these senescent cells in mice, resulting in improved metabolism. Now, they’ve turned their attention to the gut.
“In both cases, we see really significant improvements,” says Amor Vegas, describing the results of delivering CAR T cells directly to the intestines of both younger and older mice. “They’re able to absorb nutrients better. They have much less inflammation. When irritated or injured, their epithelial lining is able to regenerate and heal much faster.”
Protection Against Radiation-Induced Gut Damage
Leaky gut syndrome is a frequent complication for cancer patients undergoing pelvic or abdominal radiation therapy. To simulate this, the CSHL team exposed mice to radiation that damaged their intestinal epithelial cells. The results were encouraging: mice treated with CAR T cells recovered significantly better than those without the therapy. Remarkably, a single dose of CAR T-cell treatment continued to promote healthier gut function for at least one year.
CSHL Assistant Professor Semir Beyaz and graduate student Onur Eskiocak collaborated on the study. Eskiocak notes that the researchers also found evidence that anti-uPAR CAR T cells encourage regeneration in human intestinal and colorectal cells. While the exact mechanisms are still under investigation, the findings suggest a strong therapeutic potential.
“This is one good step toward a long journey in understanding how we can better heal the elderly,” Beyaz emphasizes.
