Claudin18.2-targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor Dendritic Cells

Claudin18.2-targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor Dendritic Cells (CAR-DCs) represent an experimental cell therapy designed to combat cancers that express Claudin18.2 (CLDN18.2). CLDN18.2 is a tight junction protein found in normal gastric mucosa and aberrantly expressed in various gastrointestinal tumors, including gastric, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers, making it an attractive target for immunotherapy. This therapy involves engineering dendritic cells with a Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) that specifically recognizes CLDN18.2. Upon administration, these CAR-DCs are intended to present CLDN18.2 antigens to the immune system, potentially activating a broader anti-tumor immune response beyond direct CAR-mediated killing, which is characteristic of CAR-T cell therapies. The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University College is developing this approach, with its global highest R&D status currently in Phase 1 for advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma. While CAR-T cells targeting CLDN18.2 are more extensively studied and have shown promising results in various gastrointestinal cancers, CAR-DCs aim to leverage the antigen-presenting capabilities of dendritic cells to potentially induce a more robust and sustained immune response.

Other names

Claudin18.2-Targeted CAR-DCClaudin-18.2-Targeted CAR-DCClaudin 18.2-Targeted CAR-DC