CLL-1 CAR-T cells with IL-18 and RQR8

CLL-1 CAR-T cells with IL-18 and RQR8 is a dual-armored chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy targeting C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL-1), also known as CLEC12A, for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML). The construct is engineered to co-express Interleukin-18 (IL-18) to enhance anti-tumor efficacy, T-cell expansion, and persistence within the immunosuppressive bone marrow microenvironment. To address potential safety concerns such as cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity, the cells incorporate an RQR8 safety switch. RQR8 is a compact marker/suicide gene that combines epitopes from CD34 and CD20, enabling the rapid depletion of the CAR-T cells through the administration of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab. Preclinical data indicate that this dual-armoring strategy significantly improves tumor control and survival in AML models without increasing on-target/off-tumor toxicity to normal hematopoietic stem cells.

Other names

CLL-1/IL-18 CAR-T cellsdual-armored CLL-1 CAR-T cells