PD1ACR

PD1ACR is an experimental third-generation chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy designed to target Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on tumor cells, particularly in the context of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Unlike conventional CARs that employ a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) for antigen binding, PD1ACR utilizes the extracellular domain of the human PD-1 receptor to recognize and bind PD-L1. The construct is engineered with a combination of intracellular signaling domains, including CD3 zeta, CD28, and 4-1BB (CD137), to promote robust T-cell activation and persistence while overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Developed through a collaboration between Taipei Medical University and Seattle Children’s Research Institute, PD1ACR has shown significant anti-tumor efficacy in preclinical models, effectively eliminating PD-L1-overexpressing cancer cells and inducing tumor regression.