LACO-CAR-T

LACO-CAR-T is an autologous, second-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy engineered to co-express a dual-functional chimeric co-stimulatory molecule known as LACO-Stim (lymphocyte and APC co-stimulator). Developed by UTC Therapeutics, the therapy is designed to address the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor heterogeneity in solid tumors. The LACO-Stim component consists of an agonistic anti-CD40 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) fused to a CD8a transmembrane domain and a CD28 intracellular signaling domain. This configuration allows the CAR-T cells to receive potent CD28 co-stimulation upon binding to CD40-positive antigen-presenting cells (APCs), while simultaneously activating those APCs to secrete IL-12, polarize macrophages toward a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype, and induce epitope spreading. Clinical data has demonstrated that mesothelin (MSLN)-targeted LACO-CAR-T cells can achieve prolonged disease control in patients with solid tumors, such as gallbladder cancer.

Other names

MSLN LACO-CAR-TMSLN LACO-CAR-T cells