2G CAR targeting cancer-associated antigen NGcGM3 demonstrates control of ovarian tumors
Research by the Irving Lab demonstrates function and safety of T cells engineered with a novel 2G CAR targeting the ganglioside NGcGM3.
A major barrier to CAR T cell therapy of solid tumors is the identification of target antigens that are broadly and stably expressed by tumors but that are not found on healthy tissues. The ganglioside NGcGM3 is one such promising CAR target. Whilst, as a result of dietary uptake, it is found on a broad range of hematological and solid tumors, it cannot be produced by human cells due to a deletion of the gene encoding the CMAH enzyme needed for its conversion from NAcGM3.
The project conducted by Drs Elisabetta Cribioli and Greta Giordano-Attianese, led by Hi-TIDe group leader Dr Melita Irving, observed reactivity of anti-NGcGM3 CAR T cells against a panel of patient tumor biopsies, and demonstrated in vivo control of ovarian tumors in the absence of toxicity against healthy tissues in pre-clinical studies. This novel CAR holds important promise for clinical translation.
This research was supported by Ludwig Cancer Research, Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF/FNS to MI: 310030_204326), Prostate Cancer Foundation and Cancera.
*CAR T cells targeting the ganglioside NGcGM3 control ovarian tumors in the absence of toxicity against healthy tissues