anti-AXL CAR T cells

Anti-AXL CAR T cells are an experimental chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy designed to target AXL, a member of the TAM (Tyro3, Axl, Mer) family of receptor tyrosine kinases. AXL is frequently overexpressed in various malignancies, including high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas of the lung (hgNECs) such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), where it is associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), DNA damage repair, and resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapies. These CAR T cells are engineered to recognize and bind to cell-surface AXL, leading to T-cell activation and selective cytotoxicity against AXL-positive tumor cells. Preclinical studies conducted at MD Anderson Cancer Center have demonstrated their efficacy in inducing cell death in SCLC and LCNEC models, particularly in relapsed or treatment-resistant settings.

Other names

AXL-directed CAR T cellsAXL-targeted CAR T cells