membrane-bound stem cell factor chimeric antigen receptor gamma-delta T cells

Membrane-bound stem cell factor chimeric antigen receptor gamma-delta T cells (mSCF CAR γδ T cells) are an experimental adoptive cell therapy developed for the treatment of myeloid malignancies, particularly acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This therapy utilizes a ligand-based CAR design where the murine or human stem cell factor (SCF) serves as the antigen-binding domain, specifically targeting the c-kit (CD117) receptor. Unlike traditional CAR-T cells that use single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), this ligand-based approach aims to reduce tonic signaling and improve stability. The therapy employs γδ T cells, which offer several advantages over αβ T cells, including HLA-independent antigen recognition (allowing for allogeneic use) and innate cytotoxicity mediated by NKG2D. Developed by researchers at Emory University and licensed to Expression Therapeutics, the CAR is often delivered via transient mRNA electroporation to provide a controlled, time-limited therapeutic effect, potentially serving as a non-genotoxic conditioning regimen prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Other names

c-kit-directed ligand-based CAR γδ T cellsSCF-based γδ T-cell therapeutics