autologous IL-15/IL-21-armored anti-glypican-3 CAR T cells

A preparation of autologous T lymphocytes that have been genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for glypican-3 (GPC3), interleukin-15 (IL-15) and interleukin-21 (IL-21), with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, autologous IL-15/IL-21-armored anti-GPC3 CAR T cells specifically target and bind to GPC3-expressing tumor cells, resulting in tumor cell lysis. GPC3, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan and a member of the glypican family, is overexpressed on certain tumor cell types while minimally expressed on normal, healthy cells; GPC3 plays an important role in cellular proliferation and differentiation. The cytokines IL-15 and IL-21 promote T-cell survival, expansion and persistence, which may potentiate the immune response against tumor cells.