wild-type CAR T cells

WT CAR T cells (Wild-Type Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells) represent the standard, unmodified form of CAR T cell therapy used as a baseline or control in experimental research. In the context of the provided study, these cells are engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for the human CD19 (huCD19) antigen. While CAR T cells have demonstrated significant efficacy in hematologic malignancies like leukemia and lymphoma, wild-type versions often face limitations in solid tumors, such as melanoma and colorectal cancer. In these environments, chronic antigen stimulation leads to a state of T-cell exhaustion or dysfunction, characterized by the upregulation of inhibitory receptors (PD-1, Tim-3, Lag-3) and transcription factors like TOX and TOX2. Research aims to modify these wild-type cells, for example by disrupting TOX expression, to enhance their persistence and anti-tumor activity in solid tumor microenvironments.

Other names

unmodified CAR T cells