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Methods for Producing Stem Cell-Like Memory T Cells for Use in T Cell-Based Immunotherapies

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Summary
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) seek research & co-development and/or licensees for a novel, ex vivo method by which stem cell-like memory T cells (Tscm) can be generated by stimulating naïve T cells in the presence of inhibitors of GSK-3beta, which are capable of activating the Wnt pathway. These Tscm cells, generated using GSK-3beta inhibitors, display enhanced survival and proliferation upon transfer, have multipotent capacity to generate all memory and effector T cell subsets, and show increased anti-tumor activity in a humanized mouse tumor model.
NIH Reference Number
E-174-2012
Product Type
Keywords
  • Stem Cell, T Cell, Immunotherapy, Cancer, Infection, Wnt, GSK-3beta, anti-tumor activity, Gattinoni
Collaboration Opportunity
This invention is available for licensing and co-development.
Contact
Description of Technology

T cells currently employed for T cell-based immunotherapies are often senescent, terminally differentiated cells with poor proliferative and survival capacity. Recently, however, scientists at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) identified and characterized a new human memory T cell population with stem cell-like properties. Since these T cells have limited quantities in vivo, the scientists have developed methods by which high numbers of these cells can be generated ex vivo for use in T cell-based immunotherapies. Specifically, this invention describes a method for generating the stem cell-like memory T cells by stimulating naive T cells in the presence of GSK-3beta inhibitors. The invention also provides methodology for obtaining the stem cell-like memory T cells by sorting T cell lymphocytes using flow cytometry. These stem cell-like memory T cells display enhanced proliferation and survival upon transfer, have the multipotent capacity to generate all memory and effector T cell subsets, and show increased anti-tumor activity in a humanized mouse tumor model. Consequently, the coupling of T cell receptor or chimeric receptor gene transfer with this method will enable the generation of a large number of memory stem cells with the desired specificity to effectively treat patients with cancer and chronic infectious diseases.

Potential Commercial Applications
  • Ex vivo generation of stem cell-like memory T cells for T cell-based immunotherapy
  • Treatment for patients with cancer and chronic infectious diseases
Competitive Advantages
  • Enhanced proliferation and survival upon transfer
  • Multipotent capacity to generate all memory and effector T cell subsets
  • Increased anti-tumor activity
Inventor(s)

Luca Gattinoni M.D. (NCI), Nicholas Restifo M.D. (NCI)

Development Stage
Publications

Gattinoni L, et al., A human memory T cell subset with stem cell-like properties.  [PMID 21926977]

Gattinoni L, et al., Wnt signaling arrests effector T cell differentiation and generates CD8+ memory stem cells.  [PMID 19525962]

Lugli E, et al., Identification, isolation and in vitro expansion of human and nonhuman primate T stem cell memory cells.  [PMID 23222456]

Patent Status
  • U.S. Patent Filed: U.S. Patent Application Number PCT/US2012/053947 , Filed 06 Sep 2012
  • U.S. Patent Filed: U.S. Patent Application Number 14/425,713 , Filed 04 Mar 2015
Therapeutic Area
Updated
Thursday, June 10, 2021