activated cytokine-induced killer cells + anti-CD3-MUC1 bispecific antibody

Activated cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) armed with an anti-CD3-MUC1 bispecific antibody represent an adoptive cell immunotherapy developed primarily by Benhealth Biopharmaceutical for the treatment of MUC1-overexpressing solid tumors. The treatment involves the ex vivo expansion and activation of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells, typically resulting in a heterogeneous population of CD3+ CD56+ NKT-like cells. These CIK cells are subsequently 'armed' or coated with a bispecific antibody that simultaneously binds to the CD3 epsilon chain on the effector cells and Mucin-1 (MUC1) on malignant cells. This molecular bridge redirects the CIK cells' intrinsic cytotoxic activity, facilitating targeted, MHC-unrestricted lysis of tumor cells via the release of perforins and granzymes. Some iterations of this protocol also utilize ex vivo activation with specific cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-1) and PD-1 blockade to further enhance cell potency and persistence. Clinical development has reached Phase 2 for several indications, including hepatocellular carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer, primarily in the Chinese clinical landscape.

Other names

anti-CD3/MUC1-armed CIK cellsanti-CD3/MUC1-armed cytokine-induced killer cellsanti-CD3/MUC1 antibody-armed PD-1 inhibitor-induced cytokine-induced killer cellsMUC1-armed CIK cellsMUC-1-armed CIK cellsMUC 1-armed CIK cells