cytomegalovirus-specific CD19-chimeric antigen receptor T cells

Cytomegalovirus-specific CD19-chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CMD-19) represent an innovative approach to adoptive cellular immunotherapy that utilizes virus-specific T cells (VSTs) as the substrate for CAR engineering. Unlike conventional CAR-T therapies that use a heterogeneous population of peripheral blood T cells, this therapy employs T cells whose endogenous T-cell receptors (TCRs) are specific for cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigens. These cells are then genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting the B-cell antigen CD19. The rationale behind this dual-specificity approach is twofold: first, the CMV-specific TCRs can receive physiological stimulation from latent or active CMV infection (or via vaccination), which may enhance the persistence and expansion of the CAR-T cells in vivo. Second, the use of VSTs may reduce the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in the allogeneic setting, as these cells have a restricted TCR repertoire. This therapy is primarily investigated for the treatment of B-cell malignancies, particularly in patients who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Other names

CMV-specific CD19-CAR T cellsCMV-VST CD19-CAR T cellsCytomegalovirus-specific T cells expressing a CD19-chimeric antigen receptor