virus-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Virus-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) are an investigational adoptive cell therapy being developed by the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for the treatment of viral infections in immunocompromised patients. This specific product consists of T-cells that have been genetically engineered using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to knock out the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1). This modification is designed to make the CTLs resistant to the suppressive effects of corticosteroids like dexamethasone, which are commonly used in cancer patients and would otherwise inhibit T-cell activity. The therapy is expanded ex vivo to target multiple viruses, including adenovirus (ADV), BK virus (BKV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), JC virus (JCV), and SARS-CoV-2. It is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT05101213) for safety and efficacy in patients with cancer or those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Other names

Virus-specific CTLsVSTsNR3C1-knockout virus-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytesNR-3C1-knockout virus-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytesNR 3C1-knockout virus-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytesGlucocorticoid receptor knockout virus-specific CTLs