Work

CAR-T Entering a New “Phase”: Improving CAR-T Function by Harnessing Phase Separation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Biomolecular condensation has emerged as a general principle in organizing biological processes, including immune response. Xu and colleagues recently reported that the cytoplasmic tail of the CD3ε subunit of the T-cell receptor complex, when fused to a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), can promote CAR condensation by liquid-liquid phase separation. Through sequence engineering, the authors identified modified CD3ε sequences that enhance the maturation of the immunologic synapse and coreceptor signaling, leading to an improvement in cytotoxicity in vitro and antitumor effects in mouse xenograft models. These results demonstrated that biomolecular condensation could be exploited to improve the function of CAR-T cells, highlighting an exciting strategy for developing next-generation cell therapies.

Source: Cancer Research

DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-25-0357

Author: Xiaolei Su

Institution: Yale University

Language: English

Topic: CAR-T cell therapy research

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering