Immunogene-modified T (IgT) Cells Against Glioblastoma Multiforme

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most dangerous and aggressive form of brain cancer. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells have been shown to mediate long-term durable remissions in recurrent or refractory hematopoietic malignancies, and thus the CAR-T therapy approach is also considered a promising treatment against GBM. Some surface antigens such as GD2 and CD56 have been targeted as potential GBM antigens. In addition, certain antigens are highly specific in GBM, such as epidermal growth factor receptor variant EGFRviii and metastasis related antigen CD44v6. Tumor microenvironment is known to suppressive anti-cancer immune responses. Many immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated marked anti-tumor activities. For example, CD276 is a member of the B7 family of immune checkpoint proteins, and CD276-specific CAR-T cell therapy have been considered a potential brain tumor microenvironment treatment. Besides immune checkpoint inhibitor antibodies, antigen-specific T cells modified with immune modulatory genes (IgT) such as genes encoding immune checkpoint inhibitors may be applied. Combination of tumor targeting and immune modulatory activities, the IgT cells could target both the tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment.