Cellectis unveils safety CAR construct

In an effort to mitigate adverse effects associated with CAR T therapies, researchers at Cellectis S.A. (NASDAQ:CLLS; Euronext:ALCLS) and its collaborator Allogene Therapeutics Inc. (South San Francisco, Calif.) developed an integrated safeguard for CAR T cells to inactivate the cells. The researchers described the construct, dubbed CubiCAR, in a paper published Tuesday in Scientific Reports.

While other companies have developed safety, or suicide, switches for CAR T therapies, products in the clinic express the mechanism on the cell surface separate from the CAR, lead author Julien Valton told BioCentury. In contrast, Cellectis' construct is incorporated within the CAR itself. ...