AFP specific T cell receptor T cells

AFP specific T cell receptor T cells are autologous or allogeneic human T lymphocytes genetically engineered to express a high-affinity α-fetoprotein (AFP)-specific T cell receptor (TCR). These modified cells are designed to recognize and kill tumor cells expressing the intracellular oncofetal antigen alpha-fetoprotein presented in the context of HLA-A*02 molecules. The therapy is primarily developed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other solid tumors with high AFP expression. Upon isolation from the patient, the patient's own (autologous) or donor's (allogeneic) peripheral blood lymphocytes are transduced ex vivo with a viral vector encoding an optimized anti-AFP-specific αβTCR. After expansion in culture, these engineered cytotoxic CD8+ and/or CD4+ effector/memory phenotype cells are infused back into the patient following lymphodepleting chemotherapy. The mechanism of action involves recognition of tumor-derived peptide-MHC complexes by the introduced high-affinity anti-AFP-TCRs on modified lymphocytes leading to targeted lysis of cancerous hepatocytes while sparing normal tissues due to restricted expression of AFP outside fetal development[1][5][7]. Multiple versions exist under clinical investigation by different companies using distinct but related constructs.

Other names

Autologous AFP-specific T cell receptor transduced T cellsARTEMIS ET140203AFPᶜ³³²T