Combating Ovarian Cancer with Stem Cell-Engineered Off-The-Shelf CAR-NKT Cell Therapy
Grant Award Details
Grant Type:
Grant Number:
TRAN1-16050
Investigator(s):
Award Value:
$6,312,000
Status:
Pre-Active
Grant Application Details
Application Title:
Combating Ovarian Cancer with Stem Cell-Engineered Off-The-Shelf CAR-NKT Cell Therapy
Public Abstract:
Translational Candidate
stem cell-based off-the-shelf CAR-NKT cells
Area of Impact
ovarian cancer (OC)
Mechanism of Action
The proposed cell therapy candidate, AlloMCAR-NKT cells, can directly kill OC tumor cells through CAR/NKR dual-targeting mechanisms, and can also modulate OC tumor microenvironment (TME) by depleting immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) via iNKT TCR-mediated CD1d recognition. Together, these multi-pronged OC-targeting mechanisms grant AlloMCAR-NKT cells a unique opportunity to combat this hard-to-treat disease.
Unmet Medical Need
OC remains an incurable disease, with a high relapse rate. The proposed therapeutic candidate can offer a new treatment opportunity for the diverse OC patient population.
Project Objective
Pre-IND meeting with the FDA
Major Proposed Activities
stem cell-based off-the-shelf CAR-NKT cells
Area of Impact
ovarian cancer (OC)
Mechanism of Action
The proposed cell therapy candidate, AlloMCAR-NKT cells, can directly kill OC tumor cells through CAR/NKR dual-targeting mechanisms, and can also modulate OC tumor microenvironment (TME) by depleting immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) via iNKT TCR-mediated CD1d recognition. Together, these multi-pronged OC-targeting mechanisms grant AlloMCAR-NKT cells a unique opportunity to combat this hard-to-treat disease.
Unmet Medical Need
OC remains an incurable disease, with a high relapse rate. The proposed therapeutic candidate can offer a new treatment opportunity for the diverse OC patient population.
Project Objective
Pre-IND meeting with the FDA
Major Proposed Activities
- Chemistry/Manufacturing/Control (CMC) study of the therapeutic candidate
- Pharmacology study of the therapeutic candidate
- Safety study of the therapeutic candidate
Statement of Benefit to California:
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death among women with gynecological malignancies. In the USA, California is the state with the highest incidences and deaths of ovarian cancer. In 2023, it is estimated that 2,150 women will be diagnosed with OC and 1,450 women will die from this disease at California. Therefore, novel therapies are urgently needed. The proposed project can potentially lead to a novel off-the-shelf cell therapy for ovarian cancer and save lives.