CAR-TCR Summit Europe 2021 – VJRegenMed

Exciting advances in CAR-T and TCR research

admin_vjr_user — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 13:22:11 +0000

David Gilham, PhD, Celyad Oncology, Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium, offers some of his highlights from the CAR-TCR Summit Europe 2021. He describes CYAD-211, a short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-based B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-targeting allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T candidate, which is being investigated in ongoing clinical trials for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (r/r MM). He also discusses exciting developments presented at the meeting, included advances in the understanding of the mechanisms of action of CD19-targeting CAR T-cell therapies, as well as advances in T-cell receptor (TCR) platforms under investigation. This interview took place during the CAR-TCR Summit Europe 2021.

Innovations within the CAR T-cell field

admin_vjr_user — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 13:58:17 +0000

Hong Ma, MD, MSc, MBA, CARsgen Therapeutics, Shanghai, China, provides his perspectives on advancements in the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell field. Developments within the liquid tumor space include novel treatments targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) receptors and further approvals are expected in the near future. There is currently a great deal of attention being paid toward CAR-T therapies for solid tumors, with early proof-of-concept studies having highlighted their potential. In addition, Dr Ma discusses the current status of research into the development of allogeneic CAR T-cell therapies and the need for the implementation of new technologies to overcome current challenges. This interview took place during the CAR-TCR Summit Europe 2021.

Allogenic NKX101 in r/r AML

admin_vjr_user — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 13:58:16 +0000

James Trager, PhD, NKarta Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA describes the ongoing Phase I clinical trial (NCT04623944) of NKX101, an allogeneic NKG2D receptor chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK) cell therapy, in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The study aims to examine NKX101 monotherapy derived from both human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched and unmatched donors in order to investigate the role of HLA matching and the potential of developing a broad, non-matched off-the-shelf program that enables the selection of donors with enhanced NK cell activity and manufacturability. This interview took place during the CAR-TCR Summit Europe 2021.

Selecting TCRs: understanding peptide-HLA-TCR interactions

admin_vjr_user — Mon, 17 May 2021 11:34:07 +0000

Dolores J. Schendel, PhD, Medigene, Planegg, Germany, provides an overview of her presentation at the CAR-TCR Summit Europe 2021 and describes the tripartide interactions that take place between the peptide, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecule and the T-cell receptor (TCR), which largely govern the activity of TCR-engineered T (TCR-T) cell therapies. She also explains the importance of the cross-presentation process and discusses some of the key factors that must be considered when selecting TCRs for use in TCR-T cell therapies for solid tumors. This interview took place during the CAR-TCR Summit Europe 2021.

Investigating allogeneic iNKT cell therapy

admin_vjr_user — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 19:15:32 +0000

Marc van Dijk, PhD, Agenus, Cambridge, UK, describes INTELLIGENT invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell technology, which are innate T-cells with natural killer (NK) cell properties, thus giving them the capacity to hone to diseased tissue sites and recruit components of the immune system to fight disease. This off-the-shelf, allogeneic cell therapy is currently being investigated in clinical trials for hematological malignancies such as multiple myeloma (NCT04754100), as well as acute respiratory syndrome in COVID-19 (NCT04582201). Preclinical research has also indicated the ability of iNKT cells to penetrate tissues and therefore their potential for targeting solid tumors, which could be combined with immune checkpoint antibodies in clinical studies in the future. This interview took place during the CAR-TCR Summit Europe 2021.

Combining iNKT and CAR technology

admin_vjr_user — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 19:15:32 +0000

Marc van Dijk, PhD, Agenus, Cambridge, UK, describes ongoing research into enhancing the targeting and signalling capabilities of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells by modifying them with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology in order to improve effectiveness in targeting solid tumors. The Virtual Systems for Immuno-Oncology (VISION) platform which involves using co-culture assays to recapitulate different elements of the tumor microenvironment is being used to drive the study and development of CAR-iNKT therapeutic candidates. Strategies to enhance the attraction of natural killer (NK) cells to the tumor site and improve the activity of iNKT cells expressing a CAR are also being investigated. This interview took place during the CAR-TCR Summit Europe 2021.

How the TCR field can learn from CARs

admin_vjr_user — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 19:15:31 +0000

Dolores J. Schendel, PhD, Medigene, Planegg, Germany, provides an overview of how the field of T-cell receptor (TCR) therapy research has evolved in recent years and continues to benefit and learn from challenges already faced in the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) field in terms of logistics, infrastructure and regulation. She also discusses the potential TCR therapies have in targeting solid tumors and how TCR engineering and their use in combination therapies could lead to significant advances in the future. This interview took place during the CAR-TCR Summit Europe 2021.

PD1-41BB switch receptor expression in the treatment of PD-L1-positve solid tumors

admin_vjr_user — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 19:15:30 +0000

Dolores J. Schendel, PhD, Medigene, Planegg, Germany, describes research into the expression of a chimeric PD1-41BB switch receptor, which combines the co-stimulatory domain of 4-1BB with the extracellular domain of PD-1, on therapeutic T-cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cells (TCR-Ts) with the aim of enhancing their clinical efficacy in the treatment of PD-L1-positive solid tumors. Preclinical research indicates that the expression of this chimeric switch receptor combats the inhibitory signal induced by the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction on the tumor cell and enhances TCR-T functionality in the tumor microenvironment by reducing T cell exhaustion and improving the metabolic fitness of T cells. This interview took place during the CAR-TCR Summit Europe 2021.

Targetting cancer with allogeneic NK cell therapies

admin_vjr_user — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 19:15:28 +0000

James Trager, PhD, NKarta Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, provides an overview of his presentation at the CAR-TCR Summit Europe 2021 on the use of engineered natural killer (NK) cells for allogeneic therapy and describes NKX019, an allogeneic CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered NK cell, which is being studied preclinically in B cell malignancies. CAR-NK cells have been demonstrated to posses a greater inherent cytotoxicity and reduced risk of cytokine release syndrome compared to CAR-T cells. He also introduces a novel strategy currently under preclinical investigation which involves combining NK and T-cell modalities due to their synergistic properties. This interview took place during the CAR-TCR Summit Europe 2021.

CAR-NKs for B cell malignancies

admin_vjr_user — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 19:15:25 +0000

James Trager, PhD, NKarta Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, describes NKX019, an investigational allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell-based cancer immunotherapy expanded from healthy donor blood and engineered with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that targets tumors expressing the CD19 antigen for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. NKX019 is also engineered with membrane-bound form of the IL15 cytokine which has been demonstrated to enhance the proliferation and persistence of NK cells in preclinical models. This interview took place during the CAR-TCR Summit Europe 2021.