Definition

A preparation of T lymphocytes that have been genetically modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) Claudin18.2 (CLDN18.2; A2 isoform of claudin-18), with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, the anti-CLDN18.2 CAR T cells LY011 specifically recognize and bind to CLDN18.2-expressing tumor cells. This may result in a specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated killing of CLDN18.2-expressing tumor cells. CLDN18.2, a tight junction protein and stomach-specific isoform of claudin-18, is overexpressed on a variety of tumor cells, but its expression in healthy tissues is strictly confined to short-lived differentiated epithelial cells of the gastric mucosa.