4-1BB-zeta hCAR T cells

4-1BB-zeta hCAR T cells (also known as hCART41BBζ) are genetically engineered, metabolically enhanced 'headless' chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Developed by researchers at the University of Virginia and the University of Pennsylvania, these cells are transduced with a lentiviral vector containing the transmembrane domain, the intracellular co-stimulatory domain of 4-1BB (CD137), and the CD3ζ T-cell receptor signaling domain, but lack an extracellular antigen-binding single-chain variable fragment (scFv). Instead, their targeting specificity is conferred by arming them with bispecific antibodies (BiAbs) that bind to CD3 on the T cells and to specific tumor-associated antigens (such as HER2 or EGFR) on cancer cells. This modular approach allows the cells to be targeted 'at will' to various solid tumors, enhances their survival and persistence in the hypoxic and nutrient-deprived tumor microenvironment, and reduces the risk of tonic signaling and cytokine release syndrome.

Other names

4-1BB-ζ hCAR T cells4-1BB-ζ hCART4-1BB-zeta hCARThCART41BBhCART-41BBhCART 41BBhCART41BBζheadless CAR T cells with 4-1BB-ζmetabolically enhanced headless CAR T cells