APRIL CAR-T cells (Zhejiang University)

APRIL CAR-T cells are an investigational autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy developed by Zhejiang University for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Unlike traditional CAR-T therapies that typically utilize a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) to target a single antigen, this construct employs the natural ligand APRIL (A Proliferation-Inducing Ligand) as the extracellular antigen-binding domain. This design allows the CAR-T cells to dual-target B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and transmembrane activator and CAML interactor (TACI), both of which are members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily frequently overexpressed on malignant plasma cells. By targeting two distinct antigens, APRIL CAR-T cells aim to improve therapeutic efficacy and mitigate the risk of tumor escape through antigen loss, a common resistance mechanism in single-target CAR-T therapies.

Other names

APRIL-based CAR-T cellsBCMA/TACI-targeted CAR-T cellshAPRIL-CAR-T