SPA CAR-T

SPA CAR-T (Synthetic Pathway Activator CAR-T) is an engineered T-cell therapy platform developed by Arsenal Biosciences in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania. The technology incorporates a class of synthetic transmembrane signaling molecules known as Synthetic Pathway Activators (SPA) that provide constitutive STAT1 and STAT3 activity. This modification is designed to enhance the anti-tumor potency, expansion, and functional persistence of CAR-T cells while preventing T-cell exhaustion, a major hurdle in treating solid tumors. Mechanistically, SPA-expressing CAR-T cells maintain a memory-like phenotype and resist the induction of TOX, a key transcriptional regulator of exhaustion, even under chronic antigen stimulation. Preclinical studies in renal cell carcinoma models have demonstrated superior efficacy and persistence compared to conventional CAR-T cells.

Other names

Synthetic Pathway Activator CAR-TSPA-expressing CAR-T