4SCAR-PSMA T cells

4SCAR-PSMA T cells are a preparation of genetically modified autologous T lymphocytes designed for cancer immunotherapy. These T cells are transduced with a replication-incompetent lentiviral vector that expresses a fourth-generation chimeric antigen receptor (4SCAR). This 4SCAR is engineered to specifically target prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a tumor-associated antigen overexpressed on various cancer cells, including prostate tumor cells. The CAR construct comprises an anti-PSMA single-chain variable fragment (scFv) for antigen recognition, coupled with co-stimulatory signaling domains (CD28, CD137, CD27) and the zeta chain of the T-cell receptor (CD3zeta) to enhance T-cell activation, proliferation, and anti-tumor activity. Additionally, it incorporates an inducible caspase 9 (iCasp9) suicide gene, which provides a safety mechanism by allowing for the selective elimination of the administered T cells if unacceptable side effects occur, through the administration of a chemical homodimerizer like AP1903. This therapy aims to induce selective toxicity in PSMA-expressing tumor cells. The drug is being developed by Shenzhen Geno-Immune Medical Institute.

Other names

autologous PSMA-4SCAR-expressing T cells