Beyond CAR T: Non-Conventional Applications of CAR Technology in Biotherapies

Program Chair(s)

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  Indira Guleria, PhD, D(ABHI), CABP(H)

  Assistant Professor of Medicine
  BIDMC and Harvard Medical School
  Boston, Massachusetts, United States

  Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

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Speaker(s)

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  Kate Rochlin, PhD (she/her/hers)

  COO
  In8Bio
  New York, New York, United States

  Disclosure(s): IN8bio Inc: Full-time/Part-time Employee or Owner (Ongoing)

  PDF
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  Rafet Basar, MD

  Assistant Professor
  MD Anderson, Texas, United States

  Disclosure(s): Takeda: Royalty (Ongoing)

  PDF

Emerging chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell technology has recently helped transform treatment options for cancer patients.
CAR T cell therapy involves engaging the patient’s immune system to attack and eradicate progressive/end stage leukemias and lymphomas, often for extended periods of time. In addition to traditional CAR T cells (alpha beta T cells), a new alternative is for patients to receive CAR gamma delta T cells or CAR NK cells, both of which have the potential to be used universally as off-the-shelf cell therapeutics because they are MHC non-restricted. CAR NK cells and CAR gamma-delta T cells have notable advantages over traditional CAR T cells in the treatment of cancers. This session will introduce participants to how CAR-based technology is being expanded Into other immune cell types to improve safety, better target solid tumors, and broaden the scope of cell-based cancer treatments. This session will highlight the unique characteristics of CAR gamma-delta T cells and CAR NK cells that make them attractive candidates for immunotherapy.
These treatments will be discussed in the context of multiple cancer types including solid tumor malignancies. The mechanisms and downstream effects by which these CAR cell therapies mediate antitumor responses will also be discussed. Lastly, current research and potential clinical trials will be presented. As part of this last objective, speakers will discuss pathways to clinical trials by describing approval needed for IND application followed by various phases (preclinical to Phase 1-3) to establish safety and efficacy. Speakers will also provide tools for participants to navigate NIH and/or other sites for various specialized CARs and the disease conditions where they could be impactful.

CABP CE Eligible