Chimeric Receptor Endodomain for Solid Tumor CAR T-Cell Persistence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) face challenges in effectively treating solid tumors due to the hostile immunosuppressive microenvironment, with limitations in CAR T-cell persistence and activity, including systemic toxicity from cytokine administration and uncontrolled proliferation.

Innovation Solution

Development of a chimeric receptor (CR) that combines a cytokine receptor endodomain and intracellular T-cell signaling domain, enhancing activation and proliferation by providing both cytokine-type and T cell receptor-type signals, enabling better engraftment and expansion in hostile tumor microenvironments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cytokines are administered systemically to enhance CAR T-cell persistence and activity, then T-cell function is improved, but toxicity occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveT-cell persistence and activityVSAvoidtoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cytokine receptor endodomain as an intermediary component within the chimeric receptor structure. This allows the T-cell to respond to cytokine signals locally at the antigen binding site rather than requiring systemic cytokine administration, thereby achieving enhanced T-cell persistence and activity without the associated toxicity of systemic cytokine therapy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The chimeric receptor enables the T-cell to self-stimulate through the inclusion of cytokine receptor endodomains that can bind to cytokines or cytokine-like structures. This self-service mechanism allows the T-cell to maintain its own persistence and activity signals without external cytokine administration, avoiding the toxicity associated with systemic cytokine therapy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If cytokines are constitutively produced by CAR T-cells to enhance persistence, then T-cell activity is improved, but uncontrolled proliferation and transformation occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveT-cell persistenceVSAvoiduncontrolled proliferation and transformation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cytokine signaling function from the cytokine production function by incorporating cytokine receptor endodomains into the chimeric receptor structure. This allows the T-cell to receive cytokine signals without constitutively producing cytokines, thereby maintaining persistence while avoiding uncontrolled proliferation and transformation associated with constitutive cytokine production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cytokine receptor endodomain acts as an intermediary that allows the T-cell to respond to cytokine signals without requiring constitutive cytokine production. This mediator approach enables controlled T-cell persistence through external or localized cytokine signals rather than uncontrolled internal production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If conventional CAR structures are used to treat solid tumors, then antigen recognition is achieved, but the hostile immunosuppressive microenvironment prevents effective T-cell function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantigen recognitionVSAvoidT-cell function in tumor microenvironment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional domains into a single chimeric receptor structure: the antigen recognition domain (scFv), the transmembrane domain, the T-cell signaling domain (CD3 zeta), and the cytokine receptor endodomain. This combination allows the T-cell to simultaneously recognize tumor antigens and receive enhanced activation and persistence signals, overcoming the suppressive tumor microenvironment while maintaining precise antigen recognition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The chimeric receptor functions as a composite molecular structure combining different functional elements from antibody (scFv), T-cell receptor (CD3 zeta), and cytokine receptor (cytokine receptor endodomain) systems. This composite structure integrates antigen recognition, activation signaling, and persistence signaling capabilities, enabling effective T-cell function in the hostile solid tumor microenvironment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12624088B2Chimeric receptor comprising a ligand binding domain and an endodomain comprising a cytokine receptor endodomain and an intracellular T cell signalling domain
Publication Date: 2026.05.12 AUTOLUS LIMIED
  • US12624088B2 patent drawing
  • US12624088B2 patent drawing
  • US12624088B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention provides a chimeric receptor which comprises: a ligand-binding exodomain; and an endodomain which comprises: (i) a cytokine receptor endodomain; and (ii) an intracellular T cell signalling domain.