NKG2D-based CARTs for Gastric Cancer Treatment

Natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) receptor is widely expressed on NK cells, γδ T cells and CD8⁺ T cells. Its ligands, MHC class chain-related (MICA/B) and UL16-binding protein families expression (ULBP1-3), are expressed on stressed, malignant transformed, and infected cells. The stressed, malignant transformed and the infected cells can be eradicated by the immune cells upon NKG2D recognizing its ligands on these cells.

Natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) receptor is widely expressed on NK cells, γδ T cells and CD8+ T cells. Its ligands, MHC class chain-related (MICA/B) and UL16-binding protein families expression (ULBP1-3), are expressed on stressed, malignant transformed, and infected cells. The stressed, malignant transformed and the infected cells can be eradicated by the immune cells upon NKG2D recognizing its ligands on these cells.

Recently, Kelong Tao and his colleagues developed a NKG2D-based CART for gastric cancer treatment. The 2^nd generation CAR was generated utilizing NKG2D as the antigen binding domain. The results indicated that the NKG2D-based CART shows potent anti-tumor activities both in vitro and in vivo. Besides, the NKG2D ligands upregulates on gastric tumor cells after cisplatin treatment. Based on these findings, NKG2D-based CART could be a new paradigm for patients with gastric cancer, either used alone or combined with chemotherapy.

Reference

• Kelong Tao, et al., Development of NKG2D-based chimeric antigen receptor-T cells for gastric cancer treatment, Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, Published online: 21 August 2018.