iPS-NKT cell

iPS-NKT cells are an investigational cell therapy composed of natural killer T (NKT) cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This approach addresses the scarcity of endogenous NKT cells by generating a large, homogeneous population of functional NKT cells from a master iPSC line. These cells express a semi-invariant T-cell receptor (TCR) that recognizes glycolipid antigens, such as alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer), presented by the non-polymorphic MHC class I-like molecule CD1d. Once activated, iPS-NKT cells produce high levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), which activates both innate (NK cells) and adaptive (CD8+ T cells) immune responses, while also exerting direct cytotoxicity against CD1d-expressing tumor cells. The therapy is currently being evaluated in a Phase I clinical trial in Japan for patients with recurrent or advanced head and neck cancer, where it is administered via intra-arterial injection in combination with alpha-GalCer-pulsed autologous dendritic cells (DC/Gal) to maximize NKT cell activation and recruitment.

Other names

iPSC-derived NKT cellsinduced pluripotent stem cell-derived natural killer T cellsiPS-derived NKT cells