GEOapplication/xmlftp://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/series/GSE319nnn/GSE319746/primaryOK200GenomicsHomo sapiensGenome binding/occupancy profiling by high throughput sequencing Expression profiling by high throughput sequencinghttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE319746GEOGSEfalseIn vivo CRISPR-based screen identifies ZC3H12C as a mediator of CAR-T cell dysfunction in solid tumorsCAR-T cell therapy has shown limited efficacy in solid tumors, largely due to T cell dysfunction driven by chronic antigen exposure. To uncover mediators of this dysfunction, we developed an in vivo screening platform using an ovarian xenograft tumor model in which CD28-based CAR-T cells undergo exhaustion leading to tumor escape. Transcriptomic profiling of tumor-infiltrating CAR-T cells at different stages revealed dynamic upregulation of exhaustion-associated genes. We used this data to design a focused CRISPR/Cas9 library and performed an in vivo screen. We identified 14 significantly enriched candidate genes, among which ZC3H12C emerged as the top hit. Single-cell RNA and ATAC-seq confirmed ZC3H12C expression in CAR-T cells undergoing early exhaustion in vivo. ZC3H12C disruption enhanced CAR-T cell persistence and antitumor efficacy while reducing exhaustion, across both CD28- and 4-1BB-based CARs targeting distinct antigens. These results highlight ZC3H12C as a promising target to improve CAR-T therapy in solid tumors.2026/09/22GSE319746GSM9525684GSM9525685GSM9525682GSM9525683GSM9525680GSM952568124676319746Homo sapiens