Probing next-generation CARs with the ability to enhance epitope-spreading
Name of applicant
Maria Ormhøj
Institution
RCI Regensburg Centrum for Interventional Immunology
Amount
DKK 1,205,605
Year
2021
Type of grant
Reintegration Fellowships
What?
The proposed project seeks to significantly increase the survival of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common type of malignant brain tumor in adults. The prognosis for patients with GBM remains exceedingly poor, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%, clearly highlighting an unmet need for development of new therapeutic options for these patients.
Why?
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a new type of immunotherapy where T-cells are endowed with a new "cancer-seeking" receptor. CAR T-cell therapy has shown great promise against blood cancers but due to the heterogeneous antigen expression in solid tumors similar efficacy has not been observed. In this project we will design next-generation CAR T-cell therapy with the aim of inducing a secondary attack by other immune cells and enhancing the anti-tumor efficacy of this therapy.
How?
Specifically we will design next-generation CAR T-cells which upon recognition can deliver transgenic payloads within the tumor. These payloads are designed to induce a secondary attack from other immune cells against "CAR-antigen negative" tumor cells.