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Solid tumor CAR T cells engineered with fusion proteins targeting PDL1 for localized IL-12 delivery

Murad, J. P.; Christian, L.; Rosa, R.; Ren, Y.; Lee, E.; Lopez, L.; Park, A.; Yang, J.; Trac, C.; Adkins, L.; Chang, W.-C.; Martinez, C.; June, C. H.; Forman, S.; Ishihara, J.; Lee, J. K.; Stern, L.; Priceman, S. J.

2025-04-09 bioengineering
10.1101/2025.04.04.647304 bioRxiv
Show abstract

CAR T cell efficacy in solid tumors is limited due in part to the immunosuppressive TME. To improve anti-tumor responses, we hypothesized that enabling CAR T cells to secrete bifunctional fusion proteins consisting of a cytokine modifier (e.g., TGF{beta}trap, IL15, or IL12) combined with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (e.g., PDL1) will provide tumor localized immunomodulation to improve CAR T cell functionality. To that end, we engineered CAR T cells to secrete TGF{beta}trap, IL15, or IL12 molecules fused to PDL1 scFv, and assessed in vitro functionality and in vivo safety and efficacy in prostate and ovarian cancer models. CAR T cells engineered with PDL1-IL12 were superior in safety and efficacy compared to CAR T cells alone and to those engineered with PDL1 fused with TGF{beta}trap or IL15. Further, PDL1-IL12 engineered CAR T cells improved T cell trafficking and tumor infiltration, localized IFN{gamma} production, TME modulation, and anti-tumor responses, with reduced systemic inflammation-associated toxicities. We believe our PDL1-IL12 engineering strategy presents an opportunity to improve CAR T cell clinical efficacy and safety across multiple solid tumor types.

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