A TCR-like CAR Promotes Sensitive Antigen Recognition and Controlled T-cell Expansion Upon mRNA Vaccination
Matthias Birtel, Ralf-Holger Voss, Katharina Reinhard, Benjamin Rengstl, Yasmina Ouchan, Kristina Michel, Nina Hayduk, Bodo Tillmann, René Becker, M Suchan, Matthias Theobald, Petra Oehm, Özlem Türeci, Uğur Şahin
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are efficacious in patients with B-cell malignancies, while their activity is limited in patients with solid tumors. We developed a novel heterodimeric TCR-like CAR (TCAR) designed to achieve optimal chain pairing and integration into the T-cell CD3 signaling complex. The TCAR mediated high antigen sensitivity and potent antigen-specific T-cell effector functions in short-term in vitro assays. Both persistence and functionality of TCAR T cells were augmented by provision of costimulatory signals, which improved proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Combination with a nanoparticulate RNA vaccine, developed for in vivo expansion of CAR T cells, promoted tightly controlled expansion, survival, and antitumor efficacy of TCAR T cells in vivo. Significance: A novel TCAR is tightly controlled by RNA vaccine–mediated costimulation and may provide an alternative to second-generation CARs for the treatment of solid tumors.