Bispecific CAR T cells for Solid Tumors
Novel therapeutic-expressing dual CARs for improved CAR T-cell therapy in solid tumors
Technology overview
Adoptive T cell-based immunotherapies have been successful in hematologic malignancies but remain challenging in solid tumors. One of the drawbacks associated with CAR T-cell therapy in solid tumors is poor engraftment and expansion of CAR T cells at tumor sites. To augment CAR T-cell therapy in solid tumors, Dr. Michael Jensen has developed bispecific CAR T cells that co-express a B cell targeting “driver CAR” and a solid tumor antigen targeting “passenger CAR.” The driver CAR promotes activation and expansion of the T cells harboring the CARs, while the passenger CAR confers tumor-targeting specificity. In vivo studies have demonstrated that bispecific CAR T cells prolong tumor suppression and extend overall animal survival. Additionally, the bispecific CAR T cells are regulatable via genetic tags engineered into the CAR constructs, allowing for periods when CAR T cells are “on” and “off.” Bispecific CAR T cells are currently in phase I clinical trials. Bispecific CAR T cells constitute a novel therapeutic approach for targeting solid tumors.
Applications
- CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors
Advantages
- Enhanced expansion and activation of CAR T cells
- Regulatable CAR expression
Market overview
Solid tumors account for more than 80% of cancers. About 1.7 million new cancer cases are estimated in 2019. There are over 20 active clinical trials investigating CAR T-cell therapy in solid tumors. There are no approved CAR T-cell therapies targeting solid tumors in the market.
Availability
Exclusive license
Technology type
Therapeutic
Cell therapy
Technology status
Clinical (in phase 1 trials)
Patent status
National stage filings based on WO 2017/027291A1
Developers
Learn more
To learn more about this technology, please email Kamya Rajaram.