Method for the Stimulation of T Cells with Il-4 and Tnf Alpha

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a novel method for stimulating T cells—specifically naive CD8+ T cells—by incubating them in a medium containing interleukin 4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in addition to standard anti-TCRβ, anti-CD28, and IL-2. The resulting T cells, including genetically modified CAR-T cells, show improved expansion, cytotoxicity, persistence, and reduced expression of inhibitory molecules (such as PD-1, TIM3, and LAG3), making them more effective for use in cancer immunotherapy, especially against solid tumors.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Manufacture of enhanced CAR-T cell therapies for cancer treatment, particularly for solid tumors like malignant melanoma.
• Personalized T cell treatment protocols for patients with various types of solid or hematological cancers.
• Combination therapies in oncology, using these T cells alongside other treatments like chemotherapy, antibody therapy, or radiation.
• Ex vivo generation of T cells with superior persistence and anti-tumor functionality for clinical infusions.
• Research applications studying immune cell exhaustion and persistence in the tumor microenvironment.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly improves the expansion and longevity (persistence) of therapeutic T cells post-infusion.
• Reduces the expression of exhaustion markers (PD-1, TIM3, LAG3) on T cells, increasing their resistance to tumor-induced immunosuppression.
• Enhances cytotoxic activity of T cells—more effective in directly killing cancer cells.
• Potentially increases the effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors, an area where current approaches struggle.
• Simplifies the T cell manufacturing process by just adding IL-4 and TNFα to standard protocols—no need for complex additional steps.
• May reduce the required number of cells per patient, lowering treatment costs and risks.
• Applicable to both autologous and allogeneic T cell therapies, broadening clinical utility.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for stimulating T cells, T cells obtainable from the methods, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such T cells, and the T cells and the pharmaceutical compositions for use as a medicament and in in a method of treating cancer in a subject.