Adoptive T cell therapy has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment, leveraging the patient’s immune system to target and eliminate tumors. Among the various T cell types used, two major paradigms have emerged: short-lived cytolytic Th1 cells and “stem cell-like” memory Th17 cells.

Th1 cells are characterized by their potent cytolytic capabilities but suffer from rapid exhaustion and limited persistence, significantly reducing their long-term anticancer efficacy. In contrast, Th17 cells exhibit a memory-like phenotype, but their inherent instability leads them to convert into suppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs), further undermining their therapeutic potential.

These limitations have underscored the need for alternative T cell types that combine antitumor activity with enhanced persistence. This invention addresses this need by introducing Th9 cells as a novel third paradigm in adoptive T cell therapy.

Th9 cells exhibit superior antitumor properties, including enhanced cytolytic activity, prolonged persistence, and a distinctive hyperproliferative capability driven by the Pu.1–Traf6–NFκB pathway. This breakthrough has the potential to transform adoptive T cell therapy by overcoming the limitations of existing T cell subsets.

Technology Overview

The invention describes a method for utilizing Th9 cells in adoptive T cell therapy for cancer. Unlike existing Th1 and Th17 cell-based therapies, Th9 cells demonstrate a unique combination of desirable characteristics:

  • Enhanced Persistence: Th9 cells maintain a mature effector cell signature and exhibit persistence in vivo comparable to Th17 cells without converting into suppressive Treg-like cells.
  • Potent Cytolytic Activity: Th9 cells demonstrate cytolytic capabilities on par with Th1 cells, enabling effective tumor destruction.
  • Hyperproliferative Potential: The unique activation of the Pu.1–Traf6–NFκB pathway drives Th9 cells’ hyperproliferation, providing a novel mechanism for sustained therapeutic effects.

This invention can be applied to various forms of adoptive T cell therapy, including tumor-infiltrating T cells, TCR-transduced T cells, and CAR T cells. Tumor-specific Th9 cells have demonstrated the ability to completely eradicate advanced tumors in preclinical models, positioning them as a transformative solution in the field of cancer immunotherapy.

Further Details

Pending US Utility Application No. 17/047,497

Stage of Development

The technology is at an advanced preclinical stage. Experimental evidence has shown that tumor-specific Th9 cells can completely eradicate advanced tumors in vivo, maintain their effector cell signature, and persist with cytolytic activity comparable to Th1 cells.

Applications

  • Direct use of tumor-specific Th9 cells in adoptive cell therapy to treat various solid tumors, including melanoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer.
  • Development of Th9-based CAR-T cells with enhanced persistence and cytolytic activity for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
  • Customizing Th9 cell therapies based on patient-specific tumor antigens, leveraging TCR-transduced or CAR-modified Th9 cells for precision medicine.

Opportunity

  • The university is looking to license the technology to companies.
  • Open to collaborate with companies developing cell therapies for cancer.
  • Seeking sponsors to fund further research on the invention.