CD19-zeta transduced Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

CD19-zeta transduced Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes represent a specialized form of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy pioneered by the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Baylor College of Medicine. These cells are T-lymphocytes with native specificity for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) antigens that have been genetically modified to express a first-generation CAR targeting the CD19 protein found on B-cells. The construct typically consists of a CD19-specific single-chain variable fragment (scFv) linked to a CD3-zeta signaling domain without additional costimulatory domains (such as CD28 or 4-1BB). This dual-specific approach leverages the EBV-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) to allow the cells to receive physiological survival and proliferation signals from endogenous EBV-infected cells or latent EBV in the host. This mechanism is designed to enhance the persistence and anti-tumor activity of the CAR-T cells compared to standard CAR-T cells that lack such native viral specificity. The therapy has been primarily investigated for the treatment of CD19-positive B-cell malignancies, including B-cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Other names

CD19-zeta transduced EBV-specific CTLsCD-19-zeta transduced EBV-specific CTLsCD 19-zeta transduced EBV-specific CTLsCD19 CAR EBV-CTLsCD-19 CAR EBV-CTLsCD 19 CAR EBV-CTLsFirst-generation CD19 CAR EBV-specific T cellsAutologous CD19-zeta EBV-CTLs