allogeneic CD123-specific universal CAR123-expressing T lymphocytes

Allogeneic, off-the-shelf, universal transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN)-engineered T lymphocytes that have been genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) human interleukin-3 receptor alpha chain (IL3RA; cluster of differentiation 123; CD123), with potential immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon transfusion of allogeneic CD123-specific universal CAR123-expressing T lymphocytes (UCART123), these cells target and bind to cancer cells expressing CD123. This induces selective toxicity in and causes lysis of CD123-expressing tumor cells. CD123 is normally expressed on committed blood progenitor cells in the bone marrow; its overexpression is associated with both increased leukemic cell proliferation and aggressiveness. Using TALEN technology, the UCART123 cells no longer express the endogenous T-cell receptor (TCR) thereby abrogating the potential induction of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) by the donor T cells.