glypican-3-targeted chimeric antigen receptor invariant natural killer T cells

Glypican-3-targeted chimeric antigen receptor invariant natural killer T cells (GPC3 CAR-iNKT) are an allogeneic cell therapy candidate designed for the treatment of solid tumors, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma. This therapeutic approach utilizes invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, a unique subset of T cells that express an invariant T-cell receptor and possess innate-like cytotoxic capabilities. iNKT cells are advantageous for allogeneic "off-the-shelf" use because they do not trigger graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). The specific construct described in preclinical studies by Medicilon involves engineering these cells with a CAR targeting GPC3 and incorporating a genomic deletion of PD-1. The PD-1 deletion is critical for overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, preventing cell exhaustion, and enabling complete tumor elimination in xenograft models.

Other names

GPC3-targeted CAR-iNKT cellsGPC-3-targeted CAR-iNKT cellsGPC 3-targeted CAR-iNKT cellsGPC3 CAR-iNKT cells with PD-1 deletionGPC-3 CAR-iNKT cells with PD-1 deletionGPC 3 CAR-iNKT cells with PD-1 deletion