uPAR-targeted CAR T cells

**uPAR-targeted CAR T cells** are an experimental cell therapy consisting of autologous T cells genetically engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), a cell surface protein overexpressed on senescent cells and various cancer cells. The CAR typically incorporates an anti-uPAR single-chain variable fragment (scFv), CD8 hinge and transmembrane domains, 4-1BB costimulatory domain, and CD3ζ signaling domain, enabling specific recognition and lysis of uPAR-positive targets. Developed primarily in preclinical research by teams at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and others, this therapy has demonstrated potent elimination of senescent cells in mouse models of aging, metabolic syndrome, liver fibrosis, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors, with long-term persistence (up to 15+ months), improved metabolic function, reduced inflammation, and enhanced survival without major toxicity; it shows enhanced efficacy when combined with PD-1 blockade.

Other names

uPAR CAR T cellsuPAR CAR-T cellsm.uPAR-m.28z CAR T cells