APRIL-CAR

APRIL-CAR is a second-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. It is engineered to utilize a membrane-tethered truncated APRIL monomer as its binding domain. This design allows it to simultaneously target two antigens, B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and transmembrane activator and CAML interactor (TACI), which are consistently upregulated on malignant plasma cells. The drug aims to redirect T cell cytotoxicity towards multiple myeloma cells, addressing challenges like heterogeneous antigen expression and potential antigen escape. Preclinical studies have shown its ability to stabilize tumor burden in a xenograft mouse model of multiple myeloma.