Summary:

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) seeks research co-development partners and/or licensees for a set of Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) that target the γδ T-Cell Receptor.

Description of Technology:

T cells express two main types of receptors based on the proteins that make up the T-cell receptor (TCR) heterodimers: ab (alpha beta) and gd (gamma delta). T cells expressing the gd TCR are detected at lower frequencies compared with T cells expressing the ab TCR. gd T cells make up 0.3-10% of peripheral blood T cells. The gd TCR is expressed on the cell surface of several aggressive cancers, including – but not limited to – hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma, primary cutaneous gd T-cell lymphoma and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). These cancers carry poor prognosis as they are often resistant to chemotherapy. In addition, to their roles in cancer development, gd T cells may also play role in autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and myositis. There is evidence that gd T cells are involved in initiation or persistence of these autoimmune diseases. To this end, new treatment options are needed for gd T-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases.

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have developed several CARs targeting the gd TCR. These CARs can specifically bind to and immunologically recognize human gd TCR. Binding of the CAR to the gd TCR elicits an immune response that allows for killing of cells expressing this TCR.

Potential Commercial Applications:

• Treatment of γδ T cell cancers
  • hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma
  • primary cutaneous gd T-cell lymphoma
  • T-ALL
• Treatment of γδ T cell autoimmune diseases
  • psoriasis
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • multiple sclerosis
  • myositis

Competitive Advantages:

• Promising new treatment option for several major market opportunities, including gd T cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases
• Promising new treatment option for patients resistant to chemotherapy
• In vivo proof-of-concept studies completed