FLT3-directed BiTE molecules vs CAR T cells in AML: costimulatory signals mitigate T-cell exhaustion.

ABSTRACT:

Abstract

T-cell-based immunotherapies have revolutionized treatment paradigms in B-cell malignancies, yet their translation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been hindered by a scarcity of tumor-restricted antigens and the risk of on-target off-leukemia toxicity. FLT3 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target with limited expression in healthy hematopoietic tissues. Here, we performed a head-to-head preclinical comparison of an FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)-directed bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) molecule and second-generation FLT3-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Both approaches induced potent cytotoxicity against AML cell lines and primary patient-derived cells but spared healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in vitro. Despite similar short-

SUBMITTER: Rohrbacher L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12917520 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature