Cellular Therapies Targeting T-antigen in Solid Tumors

Stanford researchers in Prof. Engleman and Reticker-Flynn's labs have created a novel cell therapy that targets the T-antigen, a prominent tumor-specific antigen, by leveraging the high avidity interactions between lectins and glycans. The therapy is designed to enhance treatment for patients with a wide range of metastatic carcinomas unresponsive to current immunotherapies or targeted treatments.

The field of cancer therapy has seen advancements, particularly in immunotherapy, yet a significant number of patients remain unresponsive to available treatments. Identifying and targeting specific tumor antigens remains a challenge due to the possibility of cancer cells evading immune detection through immunoediting. Furthermore, tumor-localized immune cells are often insufficient, and a systemic immune response is necessary for effective anti-tumor immunotherapy. Current therapies have not adequately addressed these issues, presenting an unmet need for treatments targeting key tumor features, such as the T-antigen.

The inventors have developed an innovative cell-based therapy that targets the T-antigen, a key tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen (TACA), enhancing the potential treatment of a wide range of metastatic carcinomas. The technology addresses the core challenge in current cancer therapies, where patients either do not respond robustly or do not have a durable response to immunotherapy. This solution incorporates a novel lectin-based targeting domain, leveraging high avidity interactions between lectins and glycans, yielding a robust anti-tumor response. This innovative therapy reduces the possibility of cancer cells escaping treatment and disrupts metastatic tolerance by targeting lymph node metastases.

Figure Description: Schematic of cell therapy against glycosylation motifs

Stage of Development:
Pre-clinical: Established in mouse models