tumor necrosis factor-alpha armed T-cell receptor T cells + tumor necrosis factor-alpha armed chimeric antigen receptor T cells

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) armed T-cell receptor (TCR) T cells and TNF-alpha armed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are engineered cellular therapies designed to treat solid tumors. Developed by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), these cells are modified using lentiviral vectors to express both a tumor-specific receptor (such as NY-ESO-1 TCR, HPV-16 E7 TCR, or GD2 CAR) and a supplemental copy of TNF-alpha. The addition of TNF-alpha is intended to enhance the potency of the T cells within the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Upon antigen recognition, these cells secrete TNF-alpha locally, which promotes tumor cell death, increases T-cell infiltration, and reduces the activity of immunosuppressive cells like myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs), without causing systemic TNF-alpha toxicity. Preclinical results presented at AACR 2026 demonstrate superior tumor control and survival in mouse models compared to conventional TCR/CAR-T therapies.

Other names

TNF-alpha armed TCR-T cellsTNF-alpha armed CAR-T cellsTNF-a armed TCR/CAR T-cells