A second‐generation CD38‐CAR‐T cell for the treatment of multiple myeloma

Abstract

Abstract Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is an aggressive plasma cell malignancy, causing a number of deaths worldwide every year. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) transduced T‐cell therapy has been a promising immunotherapy against hematological malignancies. Methods In this study, we developed a second‐generation CAR construct and generated CAR‐T cells targeting CD38 molecule. Then effects of CAR‐T cells against MM cell lines were evaluated. Results CD38‐CAR‐T cells showed higher cytotoxicity to MM cell lines and primary MM cells than that of control T cells in vitro. Over 50% MM1.s and RPMI8226 cells were killed by CAR‐T cells even at effector to target ratio of 1:100. CAR‐T cells also showed an enhanced cytotoxicity against primary MM cells. CAR‐T cells could be activated and produced a variety of cytokines in a target‐dependent manner. In vivo test indicated that CAR‐T cells also showed significant antitumor effect on xenograft mice models. Conclusion These results indicated a promising therapeutic strategy of CD38‐CAR‐T cells against MM.

Keywords

• CD38
• chimeric antigen receptor
• immunotherapy
• multiple myeloma