Definition

A preparation of allogeneic, umbilical cord blood (CB)-derived natural killer cells (NKs) that have been engineered to express a T-cell receptor (TCR) specific for the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) human cancer-testis antigen NY-ESO-1 and interleukin-15 (IL-15), with potential immunostimulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, the allogeneic anti-NY-ESO-1-TCR-IL-15-transduced CB-derived NKs target, bind to and induce selective cytotoxicity in NY-ESO-1-expressing tumor cells. NY-ESO-1 is found in normal testis and on the surface of various tumor cell types. IL-15 is a pro-survival cytokine that promotes persistence of multiple lymphocyte lineages and potentiates the immune response against tumor cells.