Effector T Cell Reprogramming With HDACi and IL-21 for Persistence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) methods face challenges in generating central memory T cells with self-renewal capabilities from well-differentiated effector cells, limiting their persistence and therapeutic efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) and interleukin-21 (IL-21) to reprogram effector T cells into central memory T cells, enhancing their persistence and proliferative ability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If well-differentiated effector T cells are used for adoptive cell therapy, then immediate cytotoxic activity is achieved, but proliferative ability and persistence in vivo are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersistence in vivoVSAvoidproliferative ability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the differentiation state parameter of T cells by treating effector T cells with HDAC inhibitors and IL-21, transforming them from a well-differentiated state with limited proliferation to a central memory phenotype with enhanced proliferative ability and persistence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of attempting to improve the function of well-differentiated effector T cells directly, the patent inverts the approach by de-differentiating them into central memory T cells, which inherently possess both the desired persistence and proliferative capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Duration of action of moving object

If central memory T cells are generated from effector T cells, then self-renewal capability and persistence are improved, but the differentiation process requires additional culturing steps

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepersistenceVSAvoidculturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single culturing step: effector T cell depletion, central memory T cell generation, and enrichment all occur simultaneously during the HDAC inhibitor and IL-21 treatment period, eliminating the need for separate differentiation and selection steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If HDAC inhibitors and IL-21 are used for reprogramming, then central memory T cell enrichment is achieved, but additional reagents and culturing conditions are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentral memory T cell frequencyVSAvoidreprogramming system
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs the body's own biological mechanisms by using endogenous pathways responsive to HDAC inhibitors and IL-21 to drive the reprogramming of T cells, leveraging natural epigenetic and cytokine-mediated differentiation processes rather than introducing external genetic or complex chemical systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The reprogramming process enriches for central memory T cells, improving their persistence and proliferative capacity, making them more effective for adoptive cell therapy.

Implementation Method 1

culturing the starting population of lymphocytes comprising T EFF cells or the sample enriched in T EFF cells in the presence of a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHistone deacetylation:

Data Source

PatentEP4722350A2Use of histone modifiers to reprogram effector t cells
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 BOARD OF RGT THE UNIV OF TEXAS SYST
  • EP4722350A2 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4722350A2 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP4722350A2 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

The present disclosure provides methods for re-programming effector T cells to a central memory phenotype comprising culturing the effector T cells with a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) and IL-21. Further provided are methods of treating cancer comprising administering the central memory T cells.