GAP T cells (Baylor College of Medicine)

GAP T cells are autologous T cells genetically engineered to express a second-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting glypican-3 (GPC3), a protein highly expressed in pediatric liver tumors and hepatocellular carcinoma. Developed by Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, these cells incorporate a 4-1BB costimulatory domain to enhance T-cell expansion and persistence. A distinctive feature of this therapy is the inclusion of an inducible caspase 9 (iCasp9) safety switch, which can be triggered by the small molecule AP1903 to induce apoptosis in the CAR-T cells if severe adverse events occur. The therapy is currently being evaluated in Phase 1 clinical trials for pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory GPC3-positive solid tumors, particularly hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Other names

GPC3-CAR T cellsGPC-3-CAR T cellsGPC 3-CAR T cellsGlypican 3-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Expressed in Autologous T CellsGlypican3-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Expressed in Autologous T CellsGlypican-3-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Expressed in Autologous T CellsiCasp9-GPC3-CAR-T cellsiCasp-9-GPC3-CAR-T cellsiCasp 9-GPC3-CAR-T cells