Allogeneic shRNA-based Anti-BCMA CAR T cells CYAD-211

A preparation of human allogeneic, 'off-the-shelf' (OTS), non-gene edited T lymphocytes that are engineered to co-express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) human B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA; tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 17; TNFRSF17) and a single short hairpin RNA (shRNA) that disrupts the expression of the CD3zeta component of the T-cell receptor (TCR), with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, the allogeneic shRNA-based anti-BCMA CAR T cells CYAD-211 recognize and bind to BCMA-overexpressing tumor cells. This may result in a specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated killing of BCMA-expressing tumor cells. BCMA, a receptor for both a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) and B-cell activating factor (BAFF), is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) and plays a key role in plasma cell survival. BCMA is found on the surfaces of plasma cells and overexpressed on malignant plasma cells. The downregulation of the expression of the TCR CD3zeta subunit by shRNA prevents the potential induction of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) by the donor T cells.