CAR 介导的靶点识别限制 TCR 和 CAR 双受体编辑 T 细胞的 TCR 介导靶点识别

Antigen escape can compromise the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor- (CAR-) or T cell receptor- (TCR-) engineered T cells. Targeting multiple antigens can effectively limit antigen escape, and combining CAR-with TCR-mediated targeting can significantly broaden the spectrum of targetable antigens.

Here, we explored whether dual-antigen specificity can be installed on T cells using combined TCR and CAR engineering to prevent antigen escape of multiple myeloma (MM).

We report the generation of CD8 T cells that were transduced to express a transgenic TCR, targeting a peptide derived from transcriptional coactivator BOB1 in the context of HLA-B 07:02, alongside a BCMA-targeting CAR. Those T cells, called TRaCR T cells, efficiently recognized target cells that were resistant to either BOB1 TCR or BCMA CAR T cells, illustrating general dual specificity. In the presence of both antigens, however, target cell recognition was preferentially conferred via the CAR, compromising TCR-mediated target cell recognition.

Importantly, this resulted in a survival advantage for tumor cells lacking expression of BCMA in an in vivo model of heterogeneous MM.

In conclusion, we demonstrate general dual specificity of TRaCR T cells but advise caution when using TRaCR T cells as a strategy to target heterogeneous tumors.