iCasp9-IL15-CD19-CAR NK cells

This investigational cell therapy, developed by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, consists of natural killer (NK) cells derived from umbilical cord blood and genetically engineered via retroviral transduction. The cells express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD19, incorporating CD28 and CD3-zeta signaling domains to trigger cytotoxicity against B-cell malignancies. To improve the limited persistence typically seen with NK cells, the construct includes the gene for interleukin-15 (IL-15), providing autocrine support for cell survival and proliferation. Additionally, it features an inducible caspase-9 (iCasp9) suicide gene as a safety mechanism, allowing for the rapid elimination of the cells in the event of severe adverse effects. It is primarily being evaluated in Phase I/II clinical trials for the treatment of B-cell lymphomas and leukemias, often in combination with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation.

Other names

Cord blood-derived CAR-NK cellsCD19-targeted CAR-NK cellsCD-19-targeted CAR-NK cellsCD 19-targeted CAR-NK cellsCAR.CD19-CD28-zeta-2A-iCasp9-IL15-transduced CB-NK cells