myoglobin-expressing T cells

Myoglobin-expressing T cells are an experimental adoptive cell therapy designed to overcome the metabolic constraints of the hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME). By retrovirally transducing CD8+ T cells to express myoglobin—an oxygen-binding protein typically found in muscle tissue—researchers aim to enhance the cells' mitochondrial and glycolytic metabolic functions. This modification leads to increased ATP production, reduced expression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), and decreased superoxide levels, thereby improving T-cell infiltration and effector function against cancer cells. Preclinical studies in melanoma (B16F10) and colon carcinoma (MC38) models have shown that these cells exhibit superior anti-tumor activity, particularly when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors like anti-PD-1 antibodies.

Other names

Mb-transduced T cellsmyoglobin-expressing CD8+ T cells