Subset-optimized CAR T Cells Enhancing Persistence and Anti-tumor Activity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current CAR T cell therapies for cancer treatment face limitations due to poor persistence and anti-tumor activity of infused CAR T cells, necessitating methods to enhance their persistence and efficacy.

Innovation Solution

Engineering CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to express CARs with specific combinations of intracellular signaling domains, differing from each other, to modulate persistence and anti-tumor activity, and administering these cells to patients to treat cancer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If CAR T cells are engineered with conventional intracellular signaling domains, then anti-tumor activity is achieved, but persistence of the infused T cells is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersistence of CAR T cellsVSAvoidanti-tumor activity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the intracellular signaling domain composition of the CAR molecule. Specifically, it uses combinations of costimulatory domains (such as CD28, 4-1BB, ICOS) with different signaling properties to alter the functional characteristics of CAR T cells. This enables simultaneous improvement of persistence (through costimulatory signals that promote survival) and anti-tumor activity (through appropriate activation signals), resolving the contradiction between duration and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If CAR T cells are engineered to enhance persistence, then duration of action is improved, but the complexity of CAR design increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersistence of CAR T cellsVSAvoidCAR structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the intracellular signaling domain into separate functional modules: an antigen recognition domain, a transmembrane domain, and distinct costimulatory domains (first and second costimulatory signals). This modular architecture allows for systematic optimization of persistence without requiring complete redesign of the entire CAR structure, thereby managing complexity while achieving enhanced duration of action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs universal signaling domains that can be combined in different configurations to achieve multiple functions. The same costimulatory domains (CD28, 4-1BB, ICOS) serve both to enhance persistence and to maintain anti-tumor activity, allowing a single CAR design to fulfill multiple objectives without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4205749A1Subset-optimized chimeric antigen receptor-containing cells
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 NOVARTIS AG
  • EP4205749A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4205749A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4205749A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

This disclosure provides, for instance subset-optimized CART cells and related methods. For instance, the disclosure describes methods and compositions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that express CARs containing specific combinations of intracellular signaling domains can be used to increase persistence and anti-tumor activity of the infused CAR-expressing T cells for treating a subject having a disease, e.g., a cancer.