Definition

A preparation of allogeneic natural killer T lymphocytes (NKTs) that have been engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific for the human tumor associated antigen (TAA) CD19, interleukin 15 (IL-15) and the costimulatory T-cell-specific surface glycoprotein CD28, with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, allogeneic anti-CD19-CAR-CD28-IL-15-expressing NKTs target, bind to, and induce selective toxicity in CD19-expressing tumor cells. IL-15 is a pro-survival cytokine that promotes T-cell persistence and potentiates the immune response against tumor cells. CD28 costimulatory molecule enhances activation and signaling after recognition of CD19, and may increase proliferation of T cells and antitumor activity. CD19 antigen is a B-cell specific cell surface antigen overexpressed in B-cell lineage malignancies.