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CAR T cells with enhanced sensitivity to B cell maturation antigen for the targeting of B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma

Authors

  • J. Bluhm
  • E. Kieback
  • S.F. Marino
  • F. Oden
  • J. Westermann
  • M. Chmielewski
  • H. Abken
  • W. Uckert
  • U.E. Höpken
  • A. Rehm

Journal

  • Molecular Therapy

Citation

  • Mol Ther 26 (8): 1906-1920

Abstract

  • Autologous T cells genetically modified with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) redirected at CD19 have potent activity in the treatment of B cell leukemia and B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL). Immunotherapies to treat multiple myeloma (MM) targeted the B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), which is expressed in most cases of MM. We developed a humanized CAR with specificity for BCMA based on our previously generated anti-BCMA monoclonal antibody. The targeting single-chain variable fragment (scFv) domain exhibited a binding affinity in the low nanomolar range, conferring T cells with high functional avidity. Redirecting T cells by this CAR allowed us to explore BCMA as an alternative target for mature B-NHLs. We validated BCMA expression in diffuse large B cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. BCMA CAR T cells triggered target cell lysis with an activation threshold in the range of 100 BCMA molecules, which allowed for an efficient eradication of B-NHL cells in vitro and in vivo. Our data corroborate BCMA is a suitable target in B cell tumors beyond MM, providing a novel therapeutic option for patients where BCMA is expressed at low abundance or where anti-CD19 immunotherapies have failed due to antigen loss.


DOI

doi:10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.06.012