AbClon announced on June 5, 2024, that the research findings of a novel immunoregulatory CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy, conducted with the research team at the University of Pennsylvania, have been published in the June issue of Nature Immunology (Impact Factor: 30.5), a globally renowned journal in the field of immunology.

The research team conducted single-cell RNA-sequencing and identified the dominant interactions of immunosuppressive cellular compartments and effector T cells in a patient with malignant tumor Hodgkin's lymphoma. Through this study, they discovered that cancer cells evade immune cell therapy by establishing a sophisticated immune escape mechanism through the binding of BTLA (B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator) on healthy immune cells and HVEM (Herpesvirus entry mediator) on cancer cells. Their findings demonstrated that the BTLA-HVEM axis functions as a critical immune checkpoint in CAR-T therapy for both hematologic and solid tumors.

To verify the anti-cancer efficacy in Hodgkin's lymphoma, the team developed a CAR-T therapy targeting CD30, a well-known marker for activated T cells. However, conventional anti-CD30 antibody-based therapies have been associated with fratricide, a phenomenon where T cells attack and kill each other due to self-recognition. To address this, the research team identified and engineered a CD30-targeting antibody that does not induce fratricide, enabling the development of a more effective CAR-T therapy.

Based on these findings, they further engineered a BTLA knockout CD30 CAR-T therapy using gene-editing technology, thereby overcoming the immune escape mechanism of cancer cells and enhancing therapeutic efficacy compared to conventional CAR-T therapies.

An AbClon representative stated, "We jointly filed a US patent with the University of Pennsylvania last year to secure intellectual property rights and are currently in proceeding with an international patent application (PCT). Moving forward, we will expand our collaborative research and development with the University of Pennsylvania for CD30 CAR-T therapy while strengthening discussions on commercialization, including potential technology transfer."