– Preclinical data show that next generation SPEAR T-cells may improve long term T-cell functions as well as antitumor activity –

PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA and OXFORD, UK I April 01, 2019 I Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq:ADAP), a leader in T-cell therapy to treat cancer, presented promising preclinical data at the annual AACR meeting from its next generation SPEAR T-cell targeting MAGE-A4. This next generation SPEAR T-cell, known as ADP-A2M4CD8, expresses the CD8α co-receptor alongside the engineered TCR that targets MAGE-A4.

Co-expression of CD8α is anticipated to broaden the immune response against solid tumors and increase antitumor activity by converting CD4+ helper cells into CD8+ killer or cytotoxic T-cells. The preclinical data demonstrate that the addition of CD8a with the engineered TCR in vitro improved engagement and function in CD4+ T-cells that may support clonal expansion of CD8+ T-cells, differentiation into effector and memory T-cells, as well as engage the wider immune system in antitumor responses.

“Our next generation programs are designed to enhance our existing SPEAR T-cells, to improve their ability to target and kill solid tumors. The preclinical data we presented at AACR indicate that adding CD8a to our ADP-A2M4 candidate may help broaden the antitumor immune response against additional tumor antigens. Further, the CD8a co-receptor may enhance the ability of CD4+ SPEAR T-cells to kill cancer cells through the engineered TCR targeting MAGE-A4,” said Rafael Amado, Adaptimmune’s President of Research & Development.

Poster presentation details:

  • Title:  Enhanced activity of second-generation MAGE-A4 SPEAR T-cells through co-expression of a CD8α homodimer
  • Session Title:  Adoptive Cell Therapy 2
  • Session Date and Time:   Monday Apr 1, 2019 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
  • Location: Georgia World Congress Center, Exhibit Hall B, Poster Section 22
  • Poster Board Number:  12
  • Abstract Number: 2313

About Adaptimmune
Adaptimmune is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel cancer immunotherapy products. The Company’s unique SPEAR (Specific Peptide Enhanced Affinity Receptor) T‑cell platform enables the engineering of T-cells to target and destroy cancer, including solid tumors. Adaptimmune is currently conducting clinical trials with SPEAR T-cells targeting MAGE-A4, MAGE-A10, and AFP across multiple solid tumor indications. The Company is located in Philadelphia, USA and Oxfordshire and Stevenage, UK. For more information, please visit http://www.adaptimmune.com.

SOURCE: Adaptimmune