Engineering a sustainable and non-exhausting CD8+ T cell response (B06)

• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 452881907

Antitumor CD8 T cells require the support of other cell types, especially CD4 helper T cells, to unleash their optimal effector function. In this project, we translate this knowledge from basic immunology into a new approach for CD4 CAR T cells. Specifically, we will generate CD4 CAR T cells that directly bind and activate CD8 CAR T cells, which in turn are directed against tumors. Additionally, we will generate CD4 CAR T cells that activate the tumor microenvironment thereby synergizing with CD8 CAR T cells at the effector site. We hope that this approach will overcome the limitations of CAR T cell therapy against solid tumors.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 338: LETSIMMUN - Lymphocyte Engineering for Therapeutic Synthetic Immunity
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität München
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Wolfgang Kastenmüller