claudin 18.2 CAR-T cells (Essen Biotech)

Claudin 18.2 CAR-T cells (Essen Biotech) is an autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy currently in clinical development for the treatment of advanced or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Developed by Essen Biotech, the therapy consists of a patient's own T-cells engineered to express a CAR specific to Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2), a tight junction protein that is highly expressed in pancreatic and gastric cancers but has limited expression in normal tissues. The mechanism of action involves the recognition of CLDN18.2 on the surface of tumor cells, triggering T-cell activation, proliferation, and the release of cytotoxic granules to induce tumor cell lysis. In Phase 1/2 clinical trials, this agent is being evaluated as part of a sequential infusion strategy following lymphodepleting chemotherapy, often administered in conjunction with other antigen-specific CAR-T cells, such as those targeting mesothelin, to maximize therapeutic response and address tumor heterogeneity in solid tumors.

Other names

claudin 18.2-targeted CAR-T cellsclaudin18.2-targeted CAR-T cellsclaudin-18.2-targeted CAR-T cellsCLDN18.2 CAR-T cellsCLDN-18.2 CAR-T cellsCLDN 18.2 CAR-T cellsclaudin 18.2 CAR-T cells-Essen Biotech-pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomaclaudin18.2 CAR-T cells-Essen Biotech-pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomaclaudin-18.2 CAR-T cells-Essen Biotech-pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma