NIH R01 · 2025
Tuning KITv CAR T cells for the solid tumor environment
PROJECT ABSTRACT We developed and translated CD28 costimulated chimeric antigen receptor (M28z CARs) T cells that target mesothelin (MSLN), a cancer-associated antigen that is overexpressed in a majority of solid tumors; 65 patients have been treated in phase I/II trials, with no on-target, off-tumor toxicity. Having demonstrated that regionally administered CAR T cells avoid pulmonary sequestration and are enhanced by early antigen-activated CD4 CAR T-cell helper function, we delivered M28z CAR T cells intrapleurally in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), promoting tumor infiltration. To overcome antigen stress–induced T-cell exhaustion, we treated 27 patients with MPM with…
From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.