IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Engineering CAR T Cells for Emerging Targets in Cancer

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session introduced emerging CAR T-cell strategies for cancer and autoimmunity, with a focus on solid tumors. The speaker from NCI explained that while CAR T therapy has transformed blood cancer treatment, solid tumors still lack enough tumor-specific antigens. His lab is identifying and validating new targets, especially the glypican family: GPC3 for liver cancer, GPC1 for pancreatic cancer, and GPC2 for neuroblastoma. Using antibodies and camel-derived nanobodies, the team engineered CARs that show strong anti-tumor activity in mice and minimal binding to normal tissues. The talk also described a new “TCR-like” gamma-delta receptor format that improves T-cell expansion, infiltration, and function in low-antigen tumors. Dual-target designs, such as GPC2 plus B7H3, further increase specificity and efficacy. Several NIH clinical trials are underway or planned, translating these lab discoveries into patient treatment.

Meta Tag

Date April 16, 2026 1:05 PM - 1:20 PM

Room 151

Session Accelerating CAR-based Approaches for Autoimmunity and Cancer, Sponsored by the Society For Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC)

Speaker Mitchell Ho

Track Tumor Immunology: Checkpoints, Prevention, And Treatment (TIPT)

Year 2026

Keywords

CAR T-cell therapy

solid tumors

glypican family

tumor-specific antigens

nanobody CARs

dual-target immunotherapy

April 16, 2026 1:05 PM - 1:20 PM

151

Accelerating CAR-based Approaches for Autoimmunity and Cancer, Sponsored by the Society For Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC)

Mitchell Ho

Tumor Immunology: Checkpoints, Prevention, And Treatment (TIPT)

2026