Improving Specificity of T-Cell Therapies in Solid Tumors: Julian Molina, MD, PhD

“The big advantage of the Tmod technology is that it's a way to selectively target cancer cells. And again, this approach is so unique in the way that in the same construct, you are able to modulate this expression: you're able to have a blocker and you are able to have an activator to use depending on what the cancer cells express.”

Data on the observational BASECAMP-1 study and preclinical data on Tmod chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies were presented at the 36th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), November 10-14, 2021, by Julian Molina, MD, PhD, professor, oncology, Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic and A2 Biotherapeutics are partnering to develop mesothelin (MSLN) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-targeted TmodCAR T-cell therapies. Preclinical data has demonstrated the technology’s robust protective effect on surrogate normal human cells in vitro, even in mixed-cell populations, while also yielding a robust cytotoxic effect on tumor cells in xenograft models.

The BASECAMP-1 study is being conducted to identify patients with relapsed solid tumors with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loss of heterozygosity (LOH) as a future target for Tmod cell therapy.

GeneTherapyLive spoke with Molina to learn more about Tmod technology and how it compares to other T-cell therapies. He discussed advantages of the technology in solid tumors.

REFERENCES

1. A2 Bio to Highlight Program Updates in Two Presentations at SITC 2021. News release. A2 Bio Therapeutics. November 1, 2021. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211101005077/en/A2-Bio-to-Highlight-Program-Updates-in-Two-Presentations-at-SITC-2021
2. Molina J, Go W, Kopetz S, et al. BASECAMP-1: an observational study to identify relapsed solid tumor patients with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and leukapheresis for future CAR T-cell therapy. Presented at: 2021 SITC Annual Meeting; November 10-14, 2021; Washington, DC. Abstract 491.