P3
Improved Lymphocyte Effector Function
Prof. Philipp Lang, Heinrich-Heine-University; Dr Haifeng Xu, Heinrich-Heine-University; Julia Werner, Heinrich-Heine-University
PROvendis
Challenge
The tumor microenvironment is frequently hypoxic and characterized by a scarcity of nutritional resources including a shortage of glucose. As effector T cells have high energy demands, tumor metabolism can contribute to T-cell dysfunction and exhaustion.
Technology
The inventors have shown that an increased expression of the oxygen-binding protein myoglobin in T cells can boost their mitochondrial and glycolytic metabolic functions. Therefore, overexpression of oxygen-binding proteins in T cells or NK cells can increase an anti-tumor response of these effector cells and especially applies to an enhanced efficacy of CAR T cells directed against solid tumors.
Commercial Opportunity
The invention is available for licensing.
Development Status
The invention is validated in a mouse model.
Patent Situation
A patent application has been filed, claiming the overexpression of several oxygen-binding proteins by exogenous nucleic acids in such effector cells for use in immunotherapeutic approches against malignant or infected cells.
The application PCT/EP2025/056976 is pending, priortiy date March 13, 2024, and has been published as WO 2025/191111.
Further Reading
Werner J, et al. (2025) Myoglobin expression improves T-cell metabolism and antitumor effector function. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer 13: e011503