Chimeric Antigen Receptors Targeting Cancer
Patent Number: PCT/US2017/024843

Executive Summary:
  • Invention Type: Diagnostic/Therapeutic
  • Patent Status: Pending
  • Patent Link: http://usc.flintbox.com/public/filedownload/10026/NCD%202015-187%20-%20Chimeric%20Antigen%20Receptors%20Targeting%20Cancer.pdf
  • Research Institute: University of Southern California
  • Disease Focus: Chimeric antigen receptors
  • Basis of Invention: Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are synthetic immune receptors, which can redirect T-cells to selectively kill tumors. One drawback of the current CAR-T technology is that genetically modified T-cells are short-lived inside patients. Yet, excessive activation of T-cells causes cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in 30% of patients receiving this therapy
  • How it works: USC scientists have developed an improved CAR platform to achieve long term persistence of CAR-T cells with potentially lower toxic side effects by replacing conventional costimulatory domains (41BB, CD28) with signaling proteins that are not part of CAR but can promote cell survival and proliferation. They have also designed a series of CARs against novel antigens, including antigens expressed specifically in myeloid malignancies and on cancer stem cells. They have also discovered an FDA-approved drug that can block the activity of CAR-T cells and achieve good concentration in the brain
  • Lead Challenge Inventor: Preet Chaudhary
  • Development Stage: Pre-clinical
  • Novelty:
    • A novel CAR platform for adoptive cell therapy treating cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune, and degenerative diseases
  • Clinical Applications:
    • CARs targeting multiple antigens
    • A drug to control the activity of CAR-T cells

General Description:
  • Improved CAR platform with increased persistence of CAR-T cells and potentially reduced toxicity
  • Novel CARs targeting an antigen (other than CD123 or CD33) expressed in myeloid malignancies with restricted expression on normal cells
  • Novel CARs targeting antigens expressed on cancer stem cells
  • Novel CARs targeting multiple diverse antigens imitating a polyclonal adaptive response
  • A humanized CAR targeting CD19 with improved efficacy
  • An FDA-approved drug to control the activity of CARs, including in the brain

Strengths:
  • A long-term persistence of CAR-T cells with potentially lower toxic side effects by replacing conventional costimulatory domains (41BB, CD28) with signaling proteins that are not part of CAR but can promote cell survival and proliferation

Patent Status: Pending

Inventor Bio: Preet Chaudhary​
http://keck.usc.edu/faculty/preet-m-chaudhary/