Chimeric IL13-MyD88 and PDL1-MyD88 receptors (SJ-20-0032)

St. Jude Reference #SJ-20-0032

Description

Researchers at St. Jude demonstrated that a MyD88.CD40 costimulatory chimeric receptor improved CAR T cell function. They believed MyD88 costimulation should be directly linked to T cell activation or triggered by a molecule that normally inhibits T cell function, so they designed two prototype receptors: i) an scfv-based MyD88 receptor that binds to IL-13 (IL13-MyD88) as an example of a MyD88 receptor that is linked to T-cell activation, and ii) a PD1-MyD88 receptor that binds to PDL1, a molecule that is expressed on the cell surface of tumor cells and inhibits T cell function.

The researchers developed and demonstrated with two examples that expression of chimeric MyD88 receptor in CAR T cells dramatically increase their antitumor activity. The findings apply broadly to CAR T cell therapies and other adoptive immune cell therapies. These Chimeric MyD88 receptors have the potential to improve the anti-tumor activity of cell therapies for a broad range of malignancies that are currently being developed.

We are seeking a partner to commercialize these costimulatory adoptive cell therapies with immune cells including CAR T cells, abTCR T cells, gdT cells, NKT cells, NK cells, and macrophages. 

Keywords

Immunotherapy, Biologics, MyD88, costimulatory chimeric receptor, IL-13, PD1-MyD88, PDL1, abTCR T cells, gdT cells, NKT cells, NK cells, and macrophages.

Granted patents or published applications

Pending international application published as WO 2021/211663 

Related scientific references

Licensing opportunities

We are seeking a partner to commercialize these costimulatory receptors for the adoptive cell therapies with immune cells including CAR T cells, abTCR T cells, gdT cells, NKT cells, NK cells, and/or macrophages.  Contact: chad.riggs@stjude.org

Contact the Office of Technology Licensing (Phone: 901-595-2342, Fax: 901-595-3148) for more information.