Logic-Gated ROR1 Chimeric Antigen Receptor Expression Rescues T Cell-Mediated Toxicity to Normal Tissues and Enables Selective Tumor Targeting

Abstract

Many potential targets for CAR-T cells in solid tumors are expressed in some normal tissues, raising concern for off-tumor toxicity. Following lymphodepletion, CAR-T cells targeting the tumor-associated antigen ROR1 lysed tumors in mice but induced lethal bone marrow failure due to recognition of ROR1⁺ stromal cells. To improve selectivity, we engineered T cells with synthetic Notch (synNotch) receptors specific for EpCAM or B7-H3, which are expressed on ROR1⁺ tumor cells but not ROR1⁺ stromal cells. SynNotch receptors induced ROR1 CAR expression selectively within the tumor, resulting in tumor regression without toxicity when tumor cells were segregated from, but not when co-localized with, normal ROR1⁺ cells. This strategy, thus, permits safe targeting of tumors that are sufficiently separated from normal cells.

Keywords: B7-H3; ROR1; T cells; chimeric antigen receptor; combinatorial antigen recognition; immunotherapy; logic gating; mesenchymal stem cell; synthetic Notch receptors; toxicity.