CD28/CD40 信号分子共刺激增强 CAR-T 细胞疗效和干性

CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T (CD19CAR-T) cells have achieved promising outcomes in relapsed/refractory B cell malignancies.

However, recurrences occur due to the loss of CAR-T cell persistence.

We developed dual T/B cell co-stimulatory molecules (CD28 and CD40) in CAR-T cells to enhance intense tumoricidal activity and persistence. CD19. 28. 40z CAR-T cells promoted pNF- B and pRelB downstream signaling while diminishing NFAT signaling upon antigen exposure. CD19. 28. 40z CAR-T cells demonstrated greater proliferation, which translated into effective anti-tumor cytotoxicity in long-term co-culture assay. Repetitive weekly antigen stimulation unveiled continuous CAR-T cell expansion while preserving central memory T cell subset and lower expression of exhaustion phenotypes. The intrinsic genes underlying CD19. 28.

40z CAR-T cell responses were compared with conventional CARs and demonstrated the up-regulated genes associated with T cell proliferation and memory as well as down-regulated genes related to apoptosis, exhaustion, and glycolysis pathway. Enrichment of genes toward T cell stemness, particularly SELL, IL-7r, TCF7, and KLF2 , was observed.

Effective and continuing anti-tumor cytotoxicity in vivo was exhibited in both B cell lymphoblastic leukemia and B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma xenograft models while demonstrating persistent T cell memory signatures. The functional enhancement of CD37. 28. 40z CAR-T cell activities against CD37 + tumor cells was further validated. The modification of dual T/B cell signaling molecules remarkably maximized the efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy.