BCMA-directed CAR-T cell therapy

BCMA-directed CAR-T cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy that involves genetically modifying a patient's own T cells to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that specifically targets the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), also known as tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 17 (TNFRSF17). BCMA is highly and selectively expressed on the surface of malignant plasma cells, making it an ideal target for multiple myeloma and other plasma cell dyscrasias. Once infused back into the patient, these engineered T cells recognize BCMA-expressing cells and initiate a cytotoxic response, leading to tumor cell lysis. This modality has significantly improved outcomes for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, with approved agents such as idecabtagene vicleucel and ciltacabtagene autoleucel demonstrating high overall response rates and durable remissions. Beyond oncology, BCMA-directed CAR-T therapies are being investigated for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as generalized myasthenia gravis and immune thrombocytopenia, by depleting pathogenic plasma cells.

Other names

BCMA-directed CAR-T cell therapyBCMA CAR-Tanti-BCMA CAR-TB-cell maturation antigen-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapyBCMA-targeted CAR-T