IL13BBζ-CAR T cells

IL13BBζ-CAR T cells are a form of autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy engineered to target the interleukin-13 receptor subunit alpha-2 (IL13Rα2), which is overexpressed in several human cancers, notably glioblastoma and other malignant brain tumors. These second-generation CAR-Ts incorporate a 4-1BB (CD137) co-stimulatory domain and a CD3-zeta signaling domain to enhance anti-tumor potency and persistence compared to earlier constructs[1][4]. The mechanism of action involves harvesting naive or memory patient-derived T cells, genetically modifying them ex vivo to express the synthetic receptor targeting IL13Rα2 via an engineered ligand or scFv domain, expanding these modified cells, and then reinfusing them into the patient after lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Upon encountering tumor-expressed IL13Rα2 in vivo, these CAR-Ts become activated—secreting inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ—and mediate direct cytotoxicity against tumor cells[1][6]. Preclinical studies have shown that this approach can be more potent than first-generation constructs with favorable safety profiles[1]. Clinical development is focused on recurrent or refractory malignant brain tumors in pediatric populations but may extend to other solid tumors expressing high levels of IL13Rα2[4].

Other names

IL13Rα2-targeted CAR T cellsIL13Rα2-CAR-TIL13(E13Y)-ligand based CAR T cellsIL13-CD28TM-28.BB.ζ CAR-T