Enhanced Genetically Engineered T Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy

The present inventive concept relates to genetically engineered T cells with enhanced persistence and functionality, comprising disruptions in Regnase-1 and TGFBRII genes, and introducing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) with a novel antigen-binding domain, further engineered to produce a cytokine that enhances their persistence.

The original patent disclosed genetically engineered T cells with Regnase-1 and TGFBRII disruptions, demonstrating improved functionality and persistence. However, these T cells may still have limitations in terms of their ability to target specific tumor antigens and persist in the body. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing a novel CAR with a specific antigen-binding domain and engineering the T cells to produce a cytokine that enhances their persistence.

The genetically engineered T cells of the present inventive concept comprise disruptions in Regnase-1 and TGFBRII genes, which are achieved through CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene editing. The T cells are further engineered to express a CAR with a novel antigen-binding domain, designed to target a specific tumor antigen. Additionally, the T cells are engineered to produce a cytokine that enhances their persistence, allowing them to persist in the body for a longer period and effectively target cancer cells.

The present inventive concept introduces a novel CAR with a specific antigen-binding domain and the engineering of T cells to produce a cytokine that enhances their persistence, which is not disclosed in the original patent. This combination of features provides a significant improvement in the functionality and persistence of genetically engineered T cells for cancer immunotherapy.

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include using different gene editing systems, such as TALEN or ZFN, or using different CAR designs and antigen-binding domains. Additionally, the T cells may be engineered to produce different cytokines or to express different surface receptors to enhance their functionality and persistence.

The present inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the field of cancer immunotherapy, particularly in the development of targeted therapies for specific types of cancer. The market for cancer immunotherapies is rapidly growing, and the present inventive concept is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market.