Lentinan enhances CAR-T cell potency in solid tumors by optimizing T cell differentiation.

ABSTRACT: CAR-T cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable success in treating hematologic malignancies; however, its efficacy in solid tumors remains constrained. In this study, we demonstrate that Lentinan (LTN), an active polysaccharide derived from Lentinula edodes, potently enhances CAR-T cell function against solid tumors. In vitro, LTN significantly augments CAR-T cell cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-2, IFN-γ). Mechanistically, LTN drives CAR-T cell differentiation into a memory phenotype, characterized by increased frequencies of CD44⁺CD62L⁺ central memory cells and enrichment of CD44⁺CD62L⁺TCF1⁺ stem-like memory cells, while concomitantly mitigating exhaustion, as evidenced by reduced surface express

SUBMITTER: Niu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12313588 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature